Which of the following features of rheumatic fever is not due to molecular mimicry?
High-Yield Explanation
Ans: (d) PericarditisMolecular mimicry is definitely the current accepted hypothesis regarding pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever.It is strongly related to presence of cross-reacting antigens in heart, brain, skin and joints.In heart, anti-streptococcal antibodies reacting with 'Cardiac myosin' and subsequent T cell activation is proposed. This response is mainly seen in myocardium and Endocardium (Valves).