Acute Fulminant Group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus-Associated Carditis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) is a gram-positive bacteria found in the upper respiratory tract that can cause disease with a wide gamut of symptoms ranging from pharyngitis to peritonsillar abscess, pneumonia, meningitis, and acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The primary goal of antibiotic therapy is to prevent complications of the primary infection such as ARF. ARF is defined by the revised Jones criteria. The Jones criteria have been modified to account for the moderate- to high-risk populations. The mechanism of the development of ARF from pharyngitis is not well understood, but the leading theory is molecular mimicry. The host’s own immune system that responds to bacterial virulence factors develops autoantibodies that attack the host tissue. ARF typically develops two to four weeks post pharyngitis. Markers such as antistreptolysin O rise by week 2-3. The rapid streptococcal antigen is often negative by the time ARF develops. We present a case of a 23-year-old male with no past medical history who presented with a chief complaint of fever and sore throat for one week associated with new-onset chest pain. The patient had a fever with normal blood pressure. Labs showed mild leukocytosis, elevated troponin I, and positive Group A strep polymerase chain reaction (PCR). He was initially treated with aspirin 81 mg, antibiotics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the emergency room. The patient was subsequently started on prednisone 60 mg as he showed no clinical improvement. His initial echocardiography (ECHO) showed a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 55%. Repeat ECHO showed LVEF of 45% with regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA). His cardiac troponin continued to rise with EKG changes on day 7. With the addition of steroids, the patient’s clinical symptoms, as well as EKG and ECHO findings, improved. The patient was discharged with penicillin benzathine for 12 weeks. Case reports of acute carditis presenting concomitantly with pharyngitis are limited. The diagnosis of post-streptococcus complications relies on antistreptolysin O titer (ASOT) serology. With the increased availability of more acute diagnostic markers such as PCR, troponin, and ECHO, GAS confirmation can potentially be obtained within one hour and maybe in the future in the diagnosis of early-onset ARF.