Leucocyte migration inhibition with human heart valve glycoproteins and group A streptococcal ribonucleic acid proteins in rheumatic heart disease and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Leucocyte migration inhibition (LMI) tests have been performed with leucocytes obtained from patients with acute rheumatic carditis, established rheumatic valvular disease with and without rheumatic reactivation, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis and healthy volunteers, using human heart valve glycoprotein (HVGP) antigens and ribonucleic acid protein antigens (P-RNA) from Group A streptococci, types 5, 6 and 12 and a Group C streptococcus. Significantly increased LMI was observed with HVGP and P-RNA antigens of Group A streptococci in patients with clinical evidence of rheumatic valvular damage. Healthy volunteers and patients with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis did not show any increase in LMI to these antigens. This suggests that cell-mediated immune mechanisms may be involved in the production of tissue lesions in rheumatic fever.