PMID: 15232191Jul 3, 2004Paper

Induction of myocarditis in rabbits injected with group A streptococci

The Indian Journal of Medical Research
L A BurovaC Schalen

Abstract

We have earlier proposed that group A streptococcal (GAS) immunoglobulin binding surface proteins (IgGBPs) might trigger anti-IgG production and immune complex formation leading to glomerulonephritis. In the present study, cardiac tissue material from rabbits injected with heat-killed GAS was investigated. Rabbits were injected intravenously with 10(9) colony forming units of streptococci three times weekly for 8 wk. Cardiac tissue samples were obtained at different times and deposition of IgG, C3, TNF-alpha and IL-6 was studied. After 8 or more weeks of intravenous (iv) injections, minimal changes were seen in animals receiving an IgG non-binding GAS strain, type T27, whereas in those animals receiving either of two IgG binding GAS strains, types M1 or M22, strong inflammatory and degenerative myocardial changes accompanied by deposition of IgG and C3 were noted. Furthermore, on injecting rabbits with defined mutants of a type M22 strain, the development of myocardial tissue damage proved to be dependent on the presence streptococcal IgGBPs. The present data supported a role of streptococcal IgGBPs in the induction of myocardial tissue injury by GAS.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, that can lead to muscular or electrical dysfunction of the heart. It is often an irreversible disease that is associated with a poor prognosis. There are different causes and classifications of cardiomyopathies. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to this disease.

Antibodies: Agglutination

Antibody-mediated agglutination is the clumping of cells in the presence of antibody, which binds multiple cells together. This enhances the clearance of pathogens. Find the latest research on antibody-mediated agglutination here.