Rheumatic heart disease in the setting of lupus anticoagulant antibodies without history of rheumatic fever
Journal of Rare Diseases·
- DOI
- 10.1007/s44162-026-00154-w
- PMID
- —
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W7127180767
- Study type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The case suggests a potential immunologic link between lupus anticoagulant antibodies and rheumatic-type cardiac valve pathology through cross-reactivity with anti-m protein pathways, though this remains mechanistically speculative.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The case explores whether lupus anticoagulant antibodies may be associated with rheumatic heart disease in the absence of documented rheumatic fever history.
Study design
Single case report of a 37-year-old female with positive lupus anticoagulant antibodies and no rheumatic fever history who presented with a new murmur and underwent valve replacement.
Population and setting
One adult female patient evaluated in a clinical cardiovascular setting.
Main findings
Transesophageal echocardiogram showed diffuse mitral valve thickening consistent with rheumatic disease. Surgical and gross pathology confirmed typical rheumatic features including subvalvular foreshortening, commissure fusion, and fibrinous exudate on the posterior leaflet.
Public-health relevance
The case suggests a potential immunologic link between lupus anticoagulant antibodies and rheumatic-type cardiac valve pathology through cross-reactivity with anti-m protein pathways, though this remains mechanistically speculative.
Important limitations
This summary is limited to the supplied single-article abstract and metadata. A single case report cannot establish causation or generalizability, and the original full-text paper is required for decision-grade clinical interpretation.
GIDS interpretation
This case report was classified under rheumatic fever in the disease taxonomy. It documents an atypical clinical presentation that may inform diagnostic considerations when rheumatic valve pathology appears without documented rheumatic fever history.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 3 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.