Effect of Colchicine on Serum Levels of the Inflammatory Markers: C-Reactive Protein and Interleukin-6 in Patients with Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease

Abstract

heumatic fever is a systemic autoimmune disorder related to prior streptococcal infection and is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in developing nations. The incidence of rheumatic fever and prevalence of rheumatic heart disease vary substantially among countries. It is an inflammatory reaction that occurs approximately 10 to 21 days after throat infection with virulent strains of Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci). It happens due to molecular similarity between Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci antigens and human proteins, It affects large joints (arthritis), the heart (carditis) and less frequently the brain (chorea), skin (erythema marginatum) and subcutaneous tissues. Rheumatic heart disease refers to the functional and structural changes of the heart muscle and valves affected by rheumatic fever. Recurrence has a high risk of chronic heart lesions or worsening lesions in patients with previous rheumatic heart disease. The severity of rheumatic heart disease and the prognosis depend on the extent of the carditis and the frequency of recurrent attacks. C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) is increased in patients with acute rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart disease, indicate the persistence of ongoing inflammation in the chronic phase.