P3130Relation between serum levels of long acting penicillin and the inflammatory markers: High sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease

Abstract Background There is evidence of a chronic inflammatory state in patients with chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease (RhD) as shown by high serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL6). Despite the efficacy of long acting penicillin (LAP) in secondary prevention of rheumatic fever, its effect on this inflammatory state is still unknown Objective We sought to study the effect of (LAP) on the inflammatory markers, (CRP) and (IL-6), in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease. Methods Eighty patients having (RhD) patients coming to our university hospitals outpatient clinic for rheumatic fever secondary prophylaxis by regular administration of (LAP) were enrolled in. the study. Patients were divided into to 3 groups: Group A; 70 patients with (RhD) already on prophylactic (LAP), Group B; 10 patients with (RhD) who have not yet started prophylactic (LAP), Group C; control group of 10 healthy individuals not known to have (RhD). Serum levels of (LAP), (IL6) and (CRP) were measured for the three groups. Results . Group A had significantly lower (IL6) levels than group B (25.22±33.50 vs. 126.1±33.76ng/ml, respectively, p<0.0001). (IL6) levels were significantly lower in control subjects compared to patients in group B (3.600±2.319, 25.22±33.50 ng/ml respectively, p<0.0001). However, IL6 levels in the control group were lower but non-significantly different compared to Group A . (CRP) level was lower in group A than group B (8419±4935 vs. 14400±3375mg/dl respectively, p=0.0002). (CRP) levels were significantly lower in control subjects compared to patients in group A and group B. (IL6) values were positively correlated with (CRP) values (r=0.6387, p<0.0001). (CRP) level negatively correlated with Long acting penicillin level (r=−0.5277, p<0.0001). (IL-6) level negatively correlated with (LAP) level (r=−0.4401, p<0.0001). There was a highly significant difference between (LAP) level in compliant and non-compliant patients (1.045±1.270 vs. 0.0785±0.1057ng/ml, respectively, p value <0.0001). There was also a highly significant difference between (CRP) level in compliant and non-compliant patients (7640±4558 vs. 13090±4717 mg/dl, respectively, p value 0.005).Moreover, there was a significant difference between (IL-6) levels in compliant and non-compliant patients (21.53±32.70 vs. 47.40±30.91 ng/ml, respectively, p value 0.03). Conclusion Serum (LAP) has a strong negative correlation with (IL-6) and (CRP) levels. Regular administration of (LAP) strongly ameliorates the inflammatory state seen in patients with (RhD).