What is rheumatic fever?
Answer: Immunologic disease caused by cross-reactivity of S. pyogenes M protein and antigens of joint and heart tissue. Clinically it presents 2 to 3 weeks following S. pyogenes pharyngitis (strep throat) and manifests with fever, migratory arthritis, chorea (rapid purposeless movements), carditis (new-onset murmur), subcutaneous nodules, and erythema marginatum (rash with pale centers and red margins).
Mnemonic:
ACCNE= migratory Arthritis, Chorea, Carditis, subcutaneous Nodules, Erythema marginatum