Rheumatic fever: present status (author's transl)

Abstract

In general, there is a falling incidence of rheumatic fever in the Federal Republic of Germany. Data from 1949 to 1977 at the University Children's Clinic Mainz indicate that in the last few years rheumatic carditis and arthritis occurred with the same severity and frequency in relation to the total number of cases as 20--25 years ago. Merely the number of recurrences has been significantly lowered since the introduction of penicillin prophylaxis. The reduction in recurrences is the main reason why acquired heart disease has become less common.