Bacterial Allergy (Hyperergy) to Nonhemolytic Streptococci

Skin Reactions to Filtrates of Haemolytic Streptococci in Acute and Subacute Nephritis 1

“…Bristol (23) has expressed the view that the exanthem of scarlet fever is an allergic reaction to the local streptococcus infection, and has reviewed the literature on this subject. The more recent investigations by Dochez and Stevens (14) and by Cooke (15) (26), Kaiser (27) (30), in particular, has done much to further the conception that the arthritis of rheumatic fever is an allergic reaction, the result of preliminary sensitization of the joints to non-haemolytic streptococci; and Zinsser (31) is inclined to accept this hypothesis.…”

Induction of Cardiac Lesions, Closely Resembling Those of Rheumatic Fever, in Rabbits Following Repeated Skin Infections With Group a Streptococci

“…The following information was also available: Rheumatic fever patients develop type-specific antibodies to the group A streptococcus inducing the nasopharyngeal infection preceding a rheumatic fever attack (1, 2); rheumatic fever patients, as a rule, were found to behyperreactive to viridans and group A streptococcal nucleoproteins (9) and to group A streptococcal vaccines (10). It was later assumed that this hyperreactive state was induced by recurring focal (Imsopharyngeal) infections with a succession of different serological types of group A streptococci.…”

A Consideration of the so-called Collagen or Systemic Connective Tissue Diseases (Part 2 of 2)

“…This was followed some years later by the reports of Swift et al (69,70,71) and later still of Rich (41,42,43,160,161).…”

“…The fluid obtained from the joints in these cases is sterile. Many years ago, Swift (69,70) and others (182) established that infections of the upper respiratory tract with non-hcmolytic streptococci preceded by a variable time interval typical acute rheumatic fever. It is speculated that the antigen may be an auto-antigen activated by the streptococcus (183,184).…”