<prompt> Aschoff bodies in the myocardium are the hallmark of carditis associated withInfective endocarditisRheumatic feverRheumatoid ahritisSystemic lupus erythematosus  <response>: Acute rheumatic fever is characterized by discrete inflammatory foci within a variety of tissues. The myocardial inflammatory lesions--called Aschoff bodies--are pathognomonic for rheumatic fever these are collections of lymphocytes primarily T cells, scattered plasma cells, and plump activated macrophages called Anitschkow cells occasionally punctuating zones of fibrinoid necrosis. The Anitschkow cells have abundant cytoplasm and central nuclei with chromatin condensed to form a slender, wavy ribbon so-called caterpillar cells. During acute rheumatic fever, Aschoff bodies can be found in any of the three layers of the hea--pericardium, myocardium, or endocardium including valves. Hence, rheumatic fever is said to cause pancarditis. Robbins Basic pathology,9th edition.pg no.391 