Aschoff

Aschoff bodies are a type of pathological lesion found in the heart tissue of individuals with rheumatic fever. They were first described by the German pathologist Karl Albert Ludwig Aschoff, after whom they are named.

Description

Aschoff bodies are small, round or oval, and often surrounded by a halo of connective tissue. They are composed of macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells, and are often associated with areas of necrosis (tissue death). The presence of Aschoff bodies is one of the major diagnostic criteria for rheumatic fever.

Pathogenesis

The exact cause of Aschoff bodies is not fully understood, but they are thought to result from an immune response to a streptococcal infection. The immune system mistakenly attacks the heart tissue, leading to inflammation and the formation of Aschoff bodies.

Clinical significance

Aschoff bodies are a hallmark of rheumatic fever, a serious condition that can lead to rheumatic heart disease and heart failure. They are also found in other conditions associated with heart inflammation, such as myocarditis and endocarditis.

See also

• Rheumatic fever
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Myocarditis
• Endocarditis

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