W. Dutra

Mechanisms underlying rheumatic heart disease immune-mediated pathogenesis: T-cell responses, cytokine networks, and immune dysregulation as drivers of valvular injury.

Acute rheumatic fever is an immune-mediated sequela of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) infection, presenting with fever, arthritis, chorea, rash, and, crucially, carditis. Without effective secondary prophylaxis and care, acute rheumatic fever can progress to chronic rheumatic heart disease, a leading ye...