Question

What organism causes rheumatic fever? How does it cause damage to the heart tissue? What is another disease that this organism causes?m

Answer 1

Rheumatic fever is a type of autoimmune disease triggered by a bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. If the infection caused by the bacteria is not treated at early stage, the immune response caused by the body will lead to production of antibody against the own body.

Generally, the infection can lead to rheumatic heart disease if the infection causes inflammation in heart and leading to damage of valves.

Apart from rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, the bacteria can cause scarlet fever. Typical Symptom of the disease is swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rashes on body and red tounge.