Rheumatic Fever

[Mike501]

I would like to know what is the name of a blood/serum test that allows to determine the existance of specific Ig antibodies responsible for a previous/current Rheumatic fever due to Streptococcal infection .
Thank you for your response

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

ASO or antistreptolysin-o is a test used to determine the presence of acute streptococcal infection.

[Mike501]

I have mitral/tricuspid  regurgitaion and recently I
dicovered that I most likelly had a rheumatic fever when I was 4.
I wanted to know if besides the throat culture there is a
way of determining if someone definitelly had RF by the level of Ig antibodies (which exist after somoene has contracted the disease)?
Michael

[heartfull]

Michael,
  When i was in the early stages of my 1st pregancy, at the age of 26 my doc ran a "immunitiy" test on me. That was when i found out that i had rhumatic fever as a child, most likely untreated cuz my mother never knew it. This was a simple blood test to find out what i was immune to, and to confirm my childhood shots.
I think he was interested in finding out about the RF because i was having trouble with my heart. Just thought you'd like to know.

[Deb]

I had RF at age 12.  I am 41 now and will have open-heart surgery in July to replace the aortic and mitral valves as a result of the RF.  My cardiologist said that it is about 30 years after RF that the valves usually need to be replaced.  I have elected for the mechanical valves and will be on coumadin.  I had a minor stroke (TIA) in 1987 at the age of 28.  The cardiologist said it was due to a clump of build up on the mitral valve broke off and went to my brain.  I was only paralyzed for about 10 minutes and then the blood pressure pushed the clot through.  I was VERY lucky.  If you know you have had RF, please keep in very close touch with your cardiologist and don't skip echos and ekgs.  

Blessings,
Deb

[Sharon]

13 YEARS AGO I WENT TO THE DOCTOR FOR INCREASE IN CHEST PAIN. I WAS TOLD THEN BY AN INTERNAL MEDICINE DOCTOR I HAD MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE. 7 MONTHS AGO I FINALLY WENT TO A CARDIOLOGIST BECAUSE I WAS HAVING AN INCREASE IN CHEST PAIN AND AN INCREASE IN SHORTNESS OF BREATH WITH EXERTION.I'M 39 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE NOW FOUND OUT I HAVE MITRAL STENOSIS INSTEAD. THE DOCTOR SEEMS TO THINK I HAD RHEUMATIC FEVER WHEN I WAS YOUNGER EVEN THOUGH MY PARENTS NOR I REMEMBER ME HAVING THESE SYMPTOMS OR EVER BEING DIAGONOSED. SEVEN MONTHS AGO MY VALVE AREA WAS 2.5 CM AND NOW IS 1.4 CM. I DON'T REMEMBER HAVING MANY SORE THROATS WHEN I WAS LITTLE AND HAVE ALWAYS GONE TO THE DOCTOR WHEN I DID I NOW I HAVE THE DAMAGE TO MY HEART VALVES. I RECOMMEND TO ALL IF THEY HAVE A SORE THROAT TO GO TO THE DOCTOR TO CHECK IT OUT EVEN THOUGH MOST SORE THROATS ARE CAUSED BY A VIRUS.

[ALICIA1949]

A related discussion, RHUMATIC FEVER - ADULT was started.