Case Report: Concurrent Rheumatic Fever and Acute Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis in a High-Burden Setting

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2019 Nov;101(5):1054-1057. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0954.

Abstract

We report a case of acute rheumatic fever with severe pancarditis occurring simultaneously with probable acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in a previously well, Australian Aboriginal, 29-year-old male. These autoimmune streptococcal sequelae are usually considered pathogenetically distinct, and concurrence has not previously been reported from this high-burden setting. We hypothesize that a single type of infecting group A Streptococcus (Strep A) triggered both autoimmune sequelae. Salient features included mitral and aortic regurgitation that worsened during the acute illness, painful pericarditis, and high troponin; severe acute kidney injury with oliguria, hematuria, and macroalbuminuria; reduced complement (C3); and elevated streptococcal serology. The case highlights important diagnostic and management challenges. It also illustrates the serious morbidity impact of the complications of Strep A.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ceftriaxone / administration & dosage
  • Ceftriaxone / therapeutic use
  • Floxacillin / administration & dosage
  • Floxacillin / therapeutic use
  • Glomerulonephritis / etiology*
  • Heart Diseases / microbiology
  • Heart Diseases / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Rheumatic Fever / complications*
  • Rheumatic Fever / diagnosis
  • Rheumatic Fever / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Floxacillin
  • Ceftriaxone
  • Prednisolone