A disease that may develop after an infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria is:

IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Microbiology

Easy

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Explanation

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that affects the heart, joints, brain, and skin.
It develops as a delayed, non-suppurative complication following a pharyngeal infection with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, such as strep throat.
The underlying mechanism is an autoimmune reaction where antibodies produced against GAS M-proteins cross-react with host tissues, particularly cardiac myosin, leading to inflammation and damage.
This condition can lead to chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), characterized by permanent valvular damage, most commonly mitral stenosis.

Option A: Malaria is a parasitic disease, not a bacterial one. It is caused by Plasmodium parasites.
Option C: Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus, not a complication of a bacterial infection.
Option D: Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus, not a bacterial sequela.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Safe nursing care depends on performing Post-infectious complications of bacterial infections in the correct sequence, documenting the action clearly, and monitoring for the expected response.
The primary prevention of acute rheumatic fever hinges on the prompt diagnosis and complete treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis with appropriate antibiotics, such as penicillin.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients and families about the importance of completing the full course of antibiotics for strep throat, even after symptoms improve, to prevent this serious complication.
Diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever relies on the Jones criteria, which combines major manifestations (carditis, arthritis, chorea) and minor manifestations with evidence of a preceding GAS infection.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of microbiology and its clinical consequences.
First, identify the key pathogen in the question stem: 'group A Streptococcus bacteria'.
Second, access your knowledge base to recall the specific diseases or complications associated with this bacterium. Think about both direct infections (like pharyngitis, impetigo) and post-infectious syndromes.
Third, systematically evaluate each option based on its known cause (etiology).
Eliminate options with incorrect etiologies: Malaria is parasitic; Dengue and Chikungunya are viral. All three are also vector-borne.
Identify the option that is a known sequela of a streptococcal infection. Rheumatic fever is the classic example of a post-streptococcal autoimmune complication.

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