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Rwebembera J, Nascimento BR, Minja NW, de Loizaga S, Aliku T, dos Santos LPA, Galdino BF, Corte LS, Silva VR, Chang AY, Dutra WO, Nunes MCP, Beaton AZ. Recent Advances in the Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Continuum. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020179. [PMID: 35215123 PMCID: PMC8878614 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly a century after rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) was eradicated from the developed world, the disease remains endemic in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with grim health and socioeconomic impacts. The neglect of RHD which persisted for a semi-centennial was further driven by competing infectious diseases, particularly the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. However, over the last two-decades, slowly at first but with building momentum, there has been a resurgence of interest in RF/RHD. In this narrative review, we present the advances that have been made in the RF/RHD continuum over the past two decades since the re-awakening of interest, with a more concise focus on the last decade’s achievements. Such primary advances include understanding the genetic predisposition to RHD, group A Streptococcus (GAS) vaccine development, and improved diagnostic strategies for GAS pharyngitis. Echocardiographic screening for RHD has been a major advance which has unearthed the prevailing high burden of RHD and the recent demonstration of benefit of secondary antibiotic prophylaxis on halting progression of latent RHD is a major step forward. Multiple befitting advances in tertiary management of RHD have also been realized. Finally, we summarize the research gaps and provide illumination on profitable future directions towards global eradication of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Rwebembera
- Department of Adult Cardiology (JR), Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +256-779010527
| | - Bruno Ramos Nascimento
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
- Servico de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Centro de Telessaude, Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 110, 1st Floor, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Neema W. Minja
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative in Uganda, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda;
| | - Sarah de Loizaga
- School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (S.d.L.); (A.Z.B.)
| | - Twalib Aliku
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology (TA), Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda;
| | - Luiza Pereira Afonso dos Santos
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Bruno Fernandes Galdino
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Luiza Silame Corte
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Vicente Rezende Silva
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Andrew Young Chang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil;
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Tropical Diseases (INCT-DT), Salvador 40170-970, BA, Brazil
| | - Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
- Servico de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Centro de Telessaude, Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 110, 1st Floor, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Andrea Zawacki Beaton
- School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (S.d.L.); (A.Z.B.)
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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Abdallah AM, Abu-Madi M. The Genetic Control of the Rheumatic Heart: Closing the Genotype-Phenotype Gap. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:611036. [PMID: 33842495 PMCID: PMC8024521 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.611036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a heritable inflammatory condition characterized by carditis, arthritis, and systemic disease. Although remaining neglected, the last 3 years has seen some promising advances in RHD research. Whilst it is clear that RHD can be triggered by recurrent group A streptococcal infections, the mechanisms driving clinical progression are still poorly understood. This review summarizes our current understanding of the genetics implicated in this process and the genetic determinants that predispose some people to RHD. The evidence demonstrating the importance of individual cell types and cellular states in delineating causal genetic variants is discussed, highlighting phenotype/genotype correlations where possible. Genetic fine mapping and functional studies in extreme phenotypes, together with large-scale omics studies including genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics, are expected to provide new information not only on RHD but also on the mechanisms of other autoimmune diseases and facilitate future clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atiyeh M Abdallah
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Poomarimuthu M, Ramasamy T, Govindan R, Andiappan R, Nagarajan G, Kadiam S, Mariakuttikan J. Association of HLA-DRB1 Alleles with Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Meta-analysis. Immunol Invest 2020; 51:221-232. [PMID: 32967480 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2020.1822864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic fever (RF) and its sequel rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an autoimmune disease caused by an abnormal host immune response to group A streptococcus (GAS) infection. The HLA class II molecules are entailed in immune-mediated infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases including RHD. However, HLA class II genes are reported to be associated with RF/RHD across different populations with a very little consistency. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to investigate the association between HLA class II genes and RF/RHD by meta-analysis. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify all relevant case-control studies published before December 31, 2019. The data were extracted using standardized form and pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) are calculated to assess the strength of the association between HLA class II genes and RF/RHD. RESULTS Thirteen studies for HLA-DRB1 alleles (1065 patients and 1691 controls) and eight studies for HLA-DQB1 alleles (644 patients and 1088 controls) were finally included. The meta-analysis showed a significantly higher frequency of HLA-DRB1*07 allele (OR = 1.68, P < .0001) in RF/RHD patients when compared to controls, while the frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 allele (OR = 0.60, P = .03) was significantly lower in RF/RHD patients than in controls. However, there were no significant differences in the frequency of HLA-DQB1 alleles between RF/RHD patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS The results of the meta-analysis suggest that the differential presentation of autoimmune peptides by HLA-DRB1*07 (susceptible) and HLA-DRB1*15 (protective) alleles with different affinities may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of RF/RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thirunavukkarasu Ramasamy
- Maternal-Child Health Center, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India.,Department of Immunology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India
| | - Ramajayam Govindan
- Multidisciplinary Research Unit, Madurai Medical College, Madurai, India
| | - Rathinavel Andiappan
- Department of Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgery, Madurai Medical College & Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, India
| | - Gunavathy Nagarajan
- Department of Immunology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India
| | - Sony Kadiam
- Department of Immunology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India
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Ghamrawy A, Ibrahim NN, Abd El-Wahab EW. How accurate is the diagnosis of rheumatic fever in Egypt? Data from the national rheumatic heart disease prevention and control program (2006-2018). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008558. [PMID: 32804953 PMCID: PMC7451991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) as a chronic sequela of repeated episodes of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), remains a cause of cardiac morbidity in Egypt although it is given full attention through a national RHD prevention and control program. The present report reviews our experience with subjects presenting with ARF or its sequelae in a single RHD centre and describes the disease pattern over the last decade. A cross-sectional study was conducted in El-Mahalla RHD centre between 2006 and 2018. A total of 17014 individual were enrolled and evaluated. Diagnosis ARF was based on the 2015 revised Jones criteria and RHD was ruled in by echocardiography. The majority of the screened subjects were female (63.2%), in the age group 5-15 years (64.6%), rural residents (61.2%), had primary education (43.0%), and of low socioeconomic standard (50.2%). The total percentage of cases presenting with ARF sequelae was 29.3% [carditis/RHD (10.8%), rheumatic arthritis (Rh.A) (14.9%), and Sydenham's chorea (0.05%)]. Noticeably, 72% were free of any cardiac insult, of which 37.7% were victims of misdiagnoses made elsewhere by untrained practitioners who prescribed for them long term injectable long-acting penicillin [Benzathine Penicillin G (BPG)] without need. About 54% of the study cohort reported the occurrence of recurrent attacks of tonsillitis of which 65.2% underwent tonsillectomy. Among those who experienced tonsillectomy and/or received BPG in the past, 14.5% and 22.3% respectively had eventually developed RHD. Screening of family members of some RHD cases who needed cardiac surgery revealed 20.7% with undiagnosed ARF sequalae [RHD (56.0%) and Rh.A (52.2%)]. Upon the follow-up of RHD cases, 1.2% had improved, 98.4% were stable and 0.4% had their heart condition deteriorated. Misdiagnosis of ARF or its sequelae and poor compliance with BPG use may affect efforts being exerted to curtail the disease. Updating national guidelines, capacity building, and reliance on appropriate investigations should be emphasized. Since the genetic basis of RHD is literally confirmed, a family history of RHD warrants screening of all family members for early detection of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Ghamrawy
- Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nermeen N. Ibrahim
- Department of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ekram W. Abd El-Wahab
- Department of Tropical Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
- * E-mail:
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Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: Facts and research progress in Africa. Int J Cardiol 2019; 295:48-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.07.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Askar M, Madbouly A, Zhrebker L, Willis A, Kennedy S, Padros K, Rodriguez MB, Bach C, Spriewald B, Ameen R, Shemmari SA, Tarassi K, Tsirogianni A, Hamdy N, Mossallam G, Hönger G, Spinnler R, Fischer G, Fae I, Charlton R, Dunk A, Vayntrub TA, Halagan M, Osoegawa K, Fernández-Viña M. HLA Haplotypes In 250 Families: The Baylor Laboratory Results And A Perspective On A Core NGS Testing Model For The 17 th International HLA And Immunogenetics Workshop. Hum Immunol 2019; 80:897-905. [PMID: 31558329 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2019.07.298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Since their inception, the International HLA & Immunogenetics Workshops (IHIW) served as a collaborative platform for exchange of specimens, reference materials, experiences and best practices. In this report we present a subset of the results of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes in families tested by next generation sequencing (NGS) under the 17th IHIW. We characterized 961 haplotypes in 921 subjects belonging to 250 families from 8 countries (Argentina, Austria, Egypt, Jamaica, Germany, Greece, Kuwait, and Switzerland). These samples were tested in a single core laboratory in a high throughput fashion using 6 different reagents/software platforms. Families tested included patients evaluated clinically as transplant recipients (kidney and hematopoietic cell transplant) and their respective family members. We identified 486 HLA alleles at the following loci HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DRB3, -DRB4, -DRB5, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPA1, -DPB1 (77, 115, 68, 69, 10, 6, 4, 44, 31, 20 and 42 alleles, respectively). We also identified nine novel alleles with polymorphisms in coding regions. This approach of testing samples from multiple laboratories across the world in different stages of technology implementation in a single core laboratory may be useful for future international workshops. Although data presented may not be reflective of allele and haplotype frequencies in the countries to which the families belong, they represent an extensive collection of 3rd and 4th field resolution level 11-locus haplotype associations of 486 alleles identified in families from 8 countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Medhat Askar
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA.
| | - Abeer Madbouly
- Bioinformatics Research, Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Karin Padros
- Primer Centro Argentino de Immunogenetica (PRICAI), Fundacion Favaloro, CABA, Argentina
| | | | - Christian Bach
- Departments of Internal Medicine & Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Bernd Spriewald
- Departments of Internal Medicine & Hematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Reem Ameen
- Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait
| | | | | | | | - Nayera Hamdy
- National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Gideon Hönger
- Transplantation Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; HLA-Diagnostics and Immunogenetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Regina Spinnler
- HLA-Diagnostics and Immunogenetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Ingrid Fae
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ronald Charlton
- Caribbean Bone Marrow Registry, Plantation, FL, USA; Laboratory Consultants of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Arthur Dunk
- Caribbean Bone Marrow Registry, Plantation, FL, USA
| | | | - Michael Halagan
- Bioinformatics Research, Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Marcelo Fernández-Viña
- Stanford Blood Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Elfishawi MM, Elgengehy F, Mossallam G, Elfishawi S, Alfishawy M, Gad A, Mokhtar I. HLA Class I in Egyptian patients with Behçet’s disease: new association with susceptibility, protection, presentation and severity of manifestations. Immunol Invest 2018; 48:121-129. [DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2018.1517364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fatema Elgengehy
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ghada Mossallam
- Clinical Pathology and Immunology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo Egypt
| | - Sally Elfishawi
- Clinical Pathology and Immunology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo Egypt
| | - Mostafa Alfishawy
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Abdallah Gad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Odessa, Odyessa, Texas, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Cancer Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Imman Mokhtar
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Streptococcal pharyngitis and rheumatic heart disease: the superantigen hypothesis revisited. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018. [PMID: 29530660 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is a human-specific and globally prominent bacterial pathogen that despite causing numerous human infections, this bacterium is normally found in an asymptomatic carrier state. This review provides an overview of both bacterial and human factors that likely play an important role in nasopharyngeal colonization and pharyngitis, as well as the development of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Here we highlight a recently described role for bacterial superantigens in promoting acute nasopharyngeal infection, and discuss how these immune system activating toxins could be crucial to initiate the autoimmune process in rheumatic heart disease.
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Martin WJ, Steer AC, Smeesters PR, Keeble J, Inouye M, Carapetis J, Wicks IP. Post-infectious group A streptococcal autoimmune syndromes and the heart. Autoimmun Rev 2015; 14:710-25. [PMID: 25891492 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There is a pressing need to reduce the high global disease burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and its harbinger, acute rheumatic fever (ARF). ARF is a classical example of an autoimmune syndrome and is of particular immunological interest because it follows a known antecedent infection with group A streptococcus (GAS). However, the poorly understood immunopathology of these post-infectious diseases means that, compared to much progress in other immune-mediated diseases, we still lack useful biomarkers, new therapies or an effective vaccine in ARF and RHD. Here, we summarise recent literature on the complex interaction between GAS and the human host that culminates in ARF and the subsequent development of RHD. We contrast ARF with other post-infectious streptococcal immune syndromes - post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) and the still controversial paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS), in order to highlight the potential significance of variations in the host immune response to GAS. We discuss a model for the pathogenesis of ARF and RHD in terms of current immunological concepts and the potential for application of in depth "omics" technologies to these ancient scourges.
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Affiliation(s)
- William John Martin
- Inflammation Division, Water and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Centre for International Child Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Group A Streptococcus Laboratory, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Pierre Robert Smeesters
- Centre for International Child Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Group A Streptococcus Laboratory, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Joanne Keeble
- Inflammation Division, Water and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Michael Inouye
- Medical Systems Biology, Department of Pathology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Ian P Wicks
- Inflammation Division, Water and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Rheumatology Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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Beaton A, Sable C, Brown J, Hoffman J, Mungoma M, Mondo C, Cereb N, Brown C, Summar M, Freers J, Ferreira MB, Yacoub M, Mocumbi AO. Genetic susceptibility to endomyocardial fibrosis. Glob Cardiol Sci Pract 2014; 2014:473-81. [PMID: 25780800 PMCID: PMC4355520 DOI: 10.5339/gcsp.2014.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is the most common form of restrictive cardiomyopathy worldwide. It has been linked to poverty and various environmental factors, but—for unknown reasons—only some people who live in similar conditions develop the disease. EMF cases cluster within both families and ethnic groups, suggesting a role for a genetic factor in host susceptibility. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system is associated with predisposition to various diseases. This two-center study was designed to investigate variation in the HLA system between EMF patients and unaffected controls. We provide the first genetic investigation of patients with EMF, as well as a comprehensive review of the literature. Methods: HLA class I (HLA-A, -B, -C) and class II (DRB1, DQB1) types were determined in 71 patients with severe EMF and 137 controls from Uganda and Mozambique. Chi Square analysis was used to identify any significant difference in frequency of class I and class II HLA types between cases and controls. Results: Compared to ethnically matched controls, HLA-B*58 occurred more frequently in Mozambique patients with EMF and HLA-A*02:02 occurred more frequently in Ugandan patients with EMF. Conclusions: Ample subjective evidence in the historical literature suggests the importance of a genetically susceptible host in EMF development. In this first formal genetic study, we found HLA alleles associated with cases of EMF in two populations from sub-Saharan Africa, with EMF patients being more likely than controls to have the HLA-B*58 allele in Mozambique (p-0.03) and the HLA-A*02:02 in Uganda (p = 0.005). Further investigations are needed to more fully understand the role of genetics in EMF development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Craig Sable
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | | | - Joshua Hoffman
- Center for Human Genetics Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | | | | | | | - Colin Brown
- NHS Blood and Transplant, Colindale, England
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Okello E, Beaton A, Mondo CK, Kruszka P, Kiwanuka N, Odoi-Adome R, Freers J. Rheumatic heart disease in Uganda: the association between MHC class II HLA DR alleles and disease: a case control study. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2014; 14:28. [PMID: 24581333 PMCID: PMC3943278 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2261-14-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), the only long term consequence of acute rheumatic fever, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young adults in Uganda. An inherited susceptibility to acute rheumatic fever centers around the major histocompatibility class II human leucocyte antigens. However, there is paucity of data from sub-Saharan Africa. This study compares the frequency of HLA class II DR alleles between RHD cases and normal controls in Uganda. METHODS One hundred ninety-nine participants including 96 established RHD cases aged 5-60 years and 103 age and sex matched normal controls were recruited for participation. DNA was manually extracted from buffy coat samples and HLA analysis was performed. HLA-DR allelic frequency comparison between cases and controls were estimated using conditional logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals. P -values were corrected for multiple hypothesis testing. RESULTS 199 participants (103 female, 51.8%) completed the study. The mean (SD) age in years for cases and controls were 29.6 (10.2) and 29(18), respectively. After conditional logistic regression and multiple hypothesis testing, HLA-DR1was associated with a decreased risk of RHD (OR = 0.42, CI 0.21-085, P = 0.01, Corrected P value (PC) = 0.09,) while HLA-DR11 was associated with increased risk of RHD (OR = 3.31, CI 1.57-6.97, P = <0.001, Pc < 0.001). No other significant associations were found. CONCLUSION In this first study of HLA genetic susceptibility to RHD in Uganda, HLA- DR1 was more common in normal controls while HLA- DR11 was more common among RHD cases suggesting a disease susceptibility association. In future studies, high resolution HLA analysis and genome wide studies should be carried out to confirm this pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmy Okello
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University/Uganda Heart Institute, Ward 1C, Mulago Hospital Complex,, PO Box 7051, Kampala, Uganda.
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Bajoria D, Menon T. The HLA Class II Associations with Rheumatic Heart Disease in South Indian Patients: A Preliminary Study. J Clin Diagn Res 2013; 7:302-4. [PMID: 23542873 DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2013/4509.2752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) occurs in 30-45% of the patients with rheumatic fever (RF) and it leads to chronic valvular lesions. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) might confer a susceptibility to RHD. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalent HLA class II DR/DQ allelic types which were associated with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in a small group of south Indian patients and to compare them with those in the control subjects. METHODS A total of 23 patients who were diagnosed with RHD and 6 control samples were included in this study. A low resolution HLA Class II DR/DQ typing was performed on the blood samples by the PCR-SSP method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The DRB3*01:01:02:01 allele showed a positive association with RHD, whereas the DQB1 loci alleles did not show any significant association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Bajoria
- PhD Research Scholar, Department of Microbiology, Dr.A.L.Mudaliar Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras , Taramani, Chennai-600113, India
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Abstract
Although the incidence of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease has decreased significantly in regions of the world where antibiotics are easily accessible, there remains a high incidence in developing nations as well as in certain regions where there is a high incidence of genetic susceptibility. These diseases are a function of poverty, low socioeconomic status, and barriers to healthcare access, and it is in the developing world that a comprehensive prevention program is most critically needed. Development of group A streptococcal vaccines has been under investigation since the 1960s and 50 years later, we still have no vaccine. Factors that contribute to this lack of success include a potential risk for developing vaccine-induced rheumatic heart disease, as well as difficulties in covering the many serological subtypes of M protein, a virulence factor found on the surface of the bacterium. Yet, development of a successful vaccine program for prevention of group A streptococcal infection still offers the best chance for eradication of rheumatic fever in the twenty-first century. Other useful approaches include continuation of primary and secondary prevention with antibiotics and implementation of health care policies that provide patients with easy access to antibiotics. Improved living conditions and better hygiene are also critical to the prevention of the spread of group A streptococcus, especially in impoverished regions of the world. The purpose of this article is to discuss current and recent developments in the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Chang
- Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Nemours/A.I. Dupont Children's Hospital, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA.
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Seckeler MD, Hoke TR. The worldwide epidemiology of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Clin Epidemiol 2011; 3:67-84. [PMID: 21386976 PMCID: PMC3046187 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s12977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are significant public health concerns around the world. Despite decreasing incidence, there is still a significant disease burden, especially in developing nations. This review provides background on the history of ARF, its pathology and treatment, and the current reported worldwide incidence of ARF and prevalence of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Seckeler
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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