Aschoff bodies in Rheumatic heart disease show all of the following features, except –
**Core Concept**
Aschoff bodies are characteristic pathological lesions found in the heart tissue of patients with rheumatic heart disease. They are a result of the body's immune response to Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci infection, leading to inflammation and cardiac damage. Aschoff bodies are composed of a mixture of immune cells, including macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Aschoff bodies typically show the presence of Anitschkow cells, which are large, multinucleated macrophages with a distinct nucleus. They also exhibit the presence of fibrinoid necrosis, which is a type of tissue damage that occurs due to the deposition of fibrin. Additionally, Aschoff bodies often display a characteristic "starry sky" appearance, with numerous Anitschkow cells scattered throughout the lesion. This appearance is due to the accumulation of these cells amidst a background of fibrinoid necrosis.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because Aschoff bodies do not typically display the presence of giant cells. While giant cells can be found in various inflammatory conditions, they are not a characteristic feature of Aschoff bodies.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because Aschoff bodies are not typically associated with the presence of granulomas. Granulomas are a type of inflammatory lesion that consists of a collection of immune cells, but they are not a characteristic feature of Aschoff bodies.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because Aschoff bodies do not typically display the presence of Russell bodies. Russell bodies are inclusions found within plasma cells, but they are not a characteristic feature of Aschoff bodies.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Aschoff bodies are a classic example of a "type III hypersensitivity reaction," which is an immune response that involves the deposition of immune complexes in tissues. This type of reaction is a hallmark of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatic heart disease.
**Correct Answer:** D.