Inflammatory cytokine levels in rheumatic heart disease and their association with use of benzathine penicillin: A case-control pilot study.

Abstract

Background: Valvular inflammation plays an important role in the progression of Rheumatic Heart Disease. We report the association between inflammatory markers and use of Benzathine Penicillin G in patients with Rheumatic mitral valve disease.

Methods: The levels of inflammatory cytokines; IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and inflammatory marker hs- CRP were measured using ELISA method in 32 patients with RHD receiving Benzathine Penicillin as secondary prophylaxis and 31 patients not receiving secondary prophylaxis, in a case-control study. The severity and type of valvular dysfunction were assessed with echocardiogram.

Results: The median level of IL-1β was significantly lower in patients on BPG (0.95 pg/ml vs. 5.47 pg/ml) p < 0.002. The median levels of IL-6, TNF-α and hs-CRP were not significantly different between study groups. The adjusted odds of raised IL-1β were lower in patients on BPG (odds ratio 0.40, 95 % C.I. 0.11, 1.45) p 0.16. There was a trend of inverse association between the use of BPG and mitral stenosis (odds ratio 0.42, 95 % C.I. (0.12, 1.46) p 0.17.

Conclusion: Patients with RHD on BPG had lower levels of IL-1β and a trend toward a lower prevalence of mitral stenosis. Role of IL-1β in progression of incompetent to stenotic mitral valve dysfunction needs to be explored in future studies.