Rheumatic Fever: A Model of Autoimmune Disease due to Molecular Mimicry between Human and Pathogen Proteins.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is caused by an autoimmune response to throat infection with Streptococcus pyogenes in individuals who present some susceptibility genes. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the major sequela and can cause heart failure and premature mortality. The disease is mediated by humoral and cellular immune responses. In this review, we present the major events that can trigger heart lesions.