Rheumatic Fever: Diagnosis, Management and Prevention

Abstract

Rheumatic fever has been intensively studied clinically over the last half-century. Because of the sequelae of heart valvular scarring and because children are so prominently affected, the disease has commanded exceptional attention from clinical investigators. Since streptococcal infections are important in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever, microbiologists have joined the effort in recent years. From this intensive clinical and microbiological research has emerged a remarkably complete documentation of the natural history of rheumatic fever, with statistical-clinical correlation of events from the onset of the inciting streptococcal pharyngitis to the progress of the valvular heart disease. Drs. Markowitz and Kuttner have done a remarkable job of synthesizing from many publications a composite picture of rheumatic fever. Their work is not simply scholarly but reflects their years of clinical experience, contemplation and research in rheumatic fever and poststreptococcal disease states. The writing is that of the seasoned and experienced physician, answering the