TNF-a and autoimmunity in chronic rheumatic heart disease

Abstract EN

Background : we Know that TNF-a Which is Consider an important inflammatory Cytokine mediate the inflammatory reactions which occur in the tissues against the infections agents and other causes of inflammation therefore, here, We try to study the role of TNF- a in Chronic Rheumatic heart disease and the relationship of TNF-a with extent of histopathologically abnormalities.

Methods : Rheumatic mitral valve surgical fragments were taken from a total of 48 Iraqi patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease under mitral valve replacement surgery in Ibn Al-Bitar Hospital for Cardiac Surgery-Iraq-Baghdad.

Paraffin embedded mitral valve tissue sections were prepared.

TNF-a –expressing were detected by using In Situ Hybridization technique, and histopathologically picture was studied by using hematoxylin and eosin staining.

Results : high percentage of TNF-a positive cell was found in all patients in general.

There was a significant difference in the mean percentage of TNF-a mong all groups under study (p < 0.05), and there was a positive high significant correlation was found between the number of TNF-a positive cells and the extent of histopathologically abnormalities.

Conclusion : TNF-a play an important role in heart damage development due to its significant correlation with the extent of histopathologically abnormalities.