The role of oxygen free radicals in the etiopathonegesis of acute rheumatic fever

İn this study the role ofoxygen free radicals in the etiopathogenesis of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) in childhood and its relationship betvveen the clinical fındings were investigated. Tvventy three patients with an age range of 5 to 15 years and 25 healthy children were included. Carditis was observed in 17 of the patients. The ROM levels were determined at the time of diagnosis and periodically after than. Oxygen free radicals and its products were measured colorimetrically using dROM's kit (d-ROMs test, Diacron s.r.l. Diagnostics Division, Via Zircone n. 8-58100 Grosseto-İtaly). The plasma ROM level at the time of diagnosis compared to that of control group was found statistically significant (P<0.05). We observed a Progressive decrease in plasma ROM levels at days 15, 30 and 90. The patients with carditis didn't have statistically different plasma ROM levels compared to the patients without carditis. The plasma ROM level at day 90 was stili higher, though unsignifıcant, than that of the control group. İn this study, we conclude that the oxygen free radicals may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of ARF.