This study was conducted to clarify the role of plasma lipid and lipoprotein fractions in the pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein patterns were determined in a total of 95 subjects consisting of 25 acute rheumatic fever (13 active carditis and 12 acute arthritis), 20 uncomplicated upper respiratory tract streptococcal infections (USI) and 50 healthy controls. The mean total cholesterol, HDL-C levels and HDL-C/triglyceride ratio were found to be low and the triglyceride level was found to be high in the active carditis groups when compared with the ARA, USI and control subjects. A negative correlation between the HDL-C level and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was found in the active cases. These findings seem to be the result of increased catabolism in active carditis patients rather than a host factor involved in the development of the disease.

Keywords: rheumatic carditis, rheumatic fever, lipoproteins, high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol