Aschoff body

In the Aschoff node is a rheumatic granuloma, which can occur as part of a carditis of rheumatic fever. He was first in 1904 by Ludwig Aschoff and described a year later by Paul Rudolf Geipel. In the German literature, they are therefore described as Aschoff - Geipel nodules in Russian-speaking regions they are called synonymous Aschoff Talajew node.

Pathology

The Aschoff nodes occur only in acute rheumatic fever. It is periarterial granulomas that occur particularly in the interstitium of the heart muscle.

Pathogenesis

The rheumatic fever is usually preceded by a pharyngeal infection with β -hemolytic streptococci of Lancefield group A ( Streptococcus pyogenes ). The specific M protein (typically M serotype 1, 3, 5 or 18) of the capsule substance streptococci has antigenic properties. It is within the scope of the immune response to the formation of antibodies against the M protein, these antibodies comprise a Kreuzantigenität opposite sarkolemmalem myosin and tropomyosin. Also antibodies to hyaluronic acid and autoantibodies were detected against connective tissue proteoglycans.

Histology

The Aschoff nodules occur in the vicinity of the small myocardial arteries, they occur in three steps: