ISSN: 2578-501X
Authors: Fleming RM* and Fleming MR
It has long been established that rheumatic heart disease (RHD) following staphylococcal & streptococcal infections is due to antibodies [1] produced in response to the bacterial infection. These antibodies represent an InflammoThrombotic Response (ITR) to the bacteria [2], an ITR that later damages the mitral and aortic valves which appear antigentically similar to the bacteria. This can result in damage to the valves and long term-term consequences; viz. RHD.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Inflammothrombotic antibody response