Streptococcal Immunology: Protection Versus Injury
Authors: GENE H. STOLLERMAN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1978)

Editorials1 March 1978Streptococcal Immunology: Protection Versus InjuryGENE H. STOLLERMAN, M.D.GENE H. STOLLERMAN, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-88-3-422 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe pathogenesis of rheumatic fever and rheumatic carditis is still obscure despite a voluminous literature on group A streptococcal immunology (1). The popular notion, however, that rheumatic inflammation may be due to cross-reactivity between streptococcal antigens and cardiac tissues has loomed as a formidable deterrence to attempts to prepare a streptococcal vaccine. Several recent studies have opened up new technical approaches to the clean separation of the type-specific M protein determinants from the streptococcal antigens responsible for cross-reactions with heart and other tissues. These studies offer fresh approaches toward solving the riddle of rheumatic carditis and they offer some new...References1. STOLLERMAN G: Rheumatic Fever and Streptococcal Infection. New York, Grune and Stratton, 1975 Google Scholar2. FISCHETTI V: Streptococcal M protein extracted by nonionic detergent. II. Analysis of the antibody response to the multiple antigenic determinants of the M-protein molecule. J Exp Med 146:1108, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. BEACHEYSTOLLERMAN EG: Toxic effects of streptococcal M protein on platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in human blood. J Exp Med 134:351, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. BEACHEYSTOLLERMAN EG: Mediation of cytotoxic effects of streptococcal M protein by nontype-specific antibody in normal human sera. J Clin Invest 52:2563, 1973 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. OFEKBEACHEYJEFFERSONCAMPBELL IEWG: Cell membrane-binding properties of group A streptococcal lipteichoic acid. J Exp Med 141:990-1003, 1975 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. BEACHEYOFEK EI: Epithelial cell binding of group A streptococci by lipoteichoic acid on fimbriae denuded of M protein. J Exp Med 143:759-771, 1976 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. BEACHEYSTOLLERMANCHIANGCHIANGSEYERKANG EGETJA: Purification and properties of M protein extracted from group A streptococci with pepsin: con valent structure of the amino terminal region of type 24 M antigen. J Exp Med 145:1469, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. VAN DE RIJNZABRISKIEMCCARTY IJM: Group A streptococcal antigens cross-reactive with myocardium. Purification of heart-reactive antibody and isolation and characterization of the steptococcal antigen. J Exp Med 146:579, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. YANGSOPREYWITTNERFOX LPME: Streptococcal-induced cell-mediated immune destruction of cardiac myofibers in vitro. J Exp Med 146:344, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. POTTERSVARTMANPOON-KINGEARLE EMTD: The families of patients with acute rheumatic fever of glomerulonephritis in Trinidad. Am J Epidemiol 106:130-138, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. BISNOPEARCESTOLLERMAN AIG: Streptococcal infections that fail to cause recurrences of rheumatic fever. J Infect Dis 136:278, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. WIDDOWSONMAXTEDNOTLEYPINNEY JWCA: The antibody responses in man to infection with different serotypes of group A streptococci. J Med Microbiol 7:483-495, 1974 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Department of Medicine College of Medicine University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences Memphis, Tennessee PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byThe future of rheumatic feverHLA-DR typing and lymphocyte subset evaluation in rheumatic heart disease: A search for immune response factorsModulation of human lymphocyte functions by group A streptococci 1 March 1978Volume 88, Issue 3Page: 422-423KeywordsAntigensHeartImmunologyInflammationLongitudinal studiesMyocarditisPathogenesisProteinsRheumatic feverVaccines Issue Published: 1 March 1978 PDF downloadLoading ...