Haptoglobin in rheumatic fever

Serum haptoglobin levels were studied in rheumatic fever and in established rheumatic heart disease to find whether rheumatic activity influenced serum haptoglobin levels. The study was carried out on 90 subjects of paediatric age group, comprising 30 children suffering from acute rheumatic fever (Group I) and Group II of 30 children of established rheumatic heart disease (not having rheumatic activity). They were matched with group III of 30 normal children of the same age as controls. Levels of ASO titre, C-reactive protein, serum haptoglobin and ESR were estimated in all cases of study and control groups. Estimations of serum haptoglobin levels and ESR were repeated in all children of rheumatic fever after 2 weeks. Haptoglobin levels were estimated by electrophoresis on a cellulose acetate paper. In healthy children (Group III) mean serum haptoglobin was 92.2 +/- 19.77 mg%. This was significantly lower when compared with acute rheumatic fever group before treatment (606.58 +/- 171.04 mg%) and rheumatic heart disease group (120.8 +/- 26.03 mg%).