Pediatricsadvanced
A patient develops inflammatory cardiac findings several weeks after GAS pharyngitis. Which mechanism best explains this delay?
Answer
A developing immune response that cross-reacts with cardiac targets
Explanation
ARF is delayed because humoral and cellular immune responses develop after GAS infection and can cross-react with host cardiac targets. **Key takeaway:** The interval after infection is consistent with an immune-mediated process. **Glossary:** Cross-reactivity: immune recognition of more than one structurally similar target.
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