BACTERIA THAT CAUSED RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE
Abstract
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHO) is a disease of the heart as a result of residual
symptoms (sequelae} of Rheumatic Fever (RF), which marked the occurrence
of heart valve defects. Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease that
attacks the multi system due to infection of Streptococcus group A a-hemolyticus of
the pharynx (pharyngitis). These bacteria usually attack children and young adults.
Rheumatic fever causes inflammation that usually occurs in the heart, skin and
connective tissue. In endemic areas, 3% of patients with pharyngitis by Streptococcus
develop rheumatic fever within 2-3 weeks after the infection of the upper
respiratory tract. Approximately 40-60% of patients experience acute rheumatic
fever that develops into Rheumatic Heart Disease. The bacteria are believed
as Streptococcus a-hemolyticus group A. This bacterium is a gram-positive bacteria,
cocci shaped with the trademark arranged like a chain on microscopic examination.
The length of the chain is highly variable and influenced by environmental
factors. The chain will be longer in liquid medium rather than in solid medium.
The bacteria can do hemolysis to the blood perfectly so that the seed so that the
blood look like a clear area around the colony. Protein M, virulence factors found
in the cell walls of Streptococcus group A a-hemolyticus, has similarities with the
structural protein in the myocardium, heart valves, synovial, skin and sub thalamic
that causes cross-reactions.