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Acute Rheumatic Fever: Academic Review Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) Overview Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune disease that develops as a delayed, non-suppurative complication following an untreated infection with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat). It most commonly affects children and adolescents aged 5–15. 🦠 Pathogenesis: Molecular Mimicry ARF is an immune-mediated condition resulting from molecular mimicry. The immune system produces antibodies against GAS antigens, such as the M protein. These antibodies mistakenly cross-react with and attack host tissues due to similarities between the bacterial and human proteins. Specifically, these cross-reactive antibodies target cardiac proteins (e.g., myosin) and neuronal cell surface proteins (e.g., lysoganglioside in the basal ganglia). The resulting in...