RHEUMATIC-FEVER - AUTOANTIBODIES AGAINST A VARIETY OF CARDIAC, NUCLEAR, AND STREPTOCOCCAL ANTIGENS

Objective-To measure antibody titres to cardiac, nuclear, and streptoc occal antigens in different groups of rheumatic fever (n = 60) and con trol subjects (n = 80) with the aim of identifying cross reactive anti gens of potential laboratory diagnostic value. Methods-Enzyme linked i mmunosorbent assays (ELISA), immunocytochemical, and electrophoretic t echniques were used to measure titres of antibodies to a variety of ca rdiac, nuclear, and streptococcal antigens in seven groups comprising patients with rheumatic fever and control subjects. Results-Increased concentrations of antibodies to several streptococcal and cardiac anti gens, in addition to increased IgA and IgG levels, were noted in sera from patients with acute rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart d isease. Autoantibodies to nuclear antigens were evident in three rheum atic fever sera. Conclusion-Although we were unable to identify any un ique cross reactivity between cardiac and streptococcal antigens, thes e results demonstrate that there is an exaggerated humoral response to several cardiac, nuclear and streptococcal antigens in patients with rheumatic fever.