Diagram of Distribution of Aschoff Body in Acute Rheumatic Pancarditis

Abstract

Acute rheumatic carditis, in which numerous Aschoff bodies are found, has rarely been reported in Japan, and the origin of the Aschoff cell remains to be established. However, Murphy's opinion of myogenic origin is widely accepted.Such an autopsy case, in which the diagram of distribution of Aschoff body is scrutinized upon the whole of the heart.Clinically, a 16-year-old girl was admitted to the Shinshu University Hospital on 20 June, 1958, because of sighing dyspnea and slight fever. At the age of 11, she complained of pain and swelling of both knee joints. Later, she was diagnosed as suffering from heart failure because of palpitation, fatigue, sighing respiration and hematuria, or at some time as nephritis. In June, 1958, she was given the possible diagnosis of subacute bacterial endocarditis or rheumatic fever. At the time of admission to the Shinshu University Hospital, she had slight edema, oliguria and fever. At that time, albuminuria, anemia and leukocytosis were observed, and marked systolic murmurs were audible all over the precordial area. She recovered gradually by treatment, but on 6 August, 1958, she became suddenly comatous and died soon afterwards .