Acute rheumatic fever in West Virginia: not just a disease of children

Article Abstract:

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) sometimes follows group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract, and at one time was a significant cause of lasting complications involving the brain, heart, joints, and skin. ARF was sometimes fatal. The disease was especially common among school-age children, but during the past few decades it has declined so much that many physicians thought the disease was dying out. It is likely that ARF sometimes goes undiagnosed because few physicians are familiar with it. During the past few years, the incidence ARF has increased, perhaps because of changes in the virulence of the type of bacteria involved. There have been several recent reports of an increase in ARF in the Ohio Valley. Because of these reports, West Virginia University, located near the Ohio cases, evaluated the 23 cases of ARF in Morgantown from 1980 through 1989. More adults than children were diagnosed with ARF; often they had repeat infections. Penicillin is useful for prevention of inflammation of the heart muscles (carditis) or of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis), which are common complications. Professional organizations differ regarding prophylactic (preventive) treatment of rheumatic carditis with penicillin, with some advocating treatment for five years after the last attack of ARF, and others suggesting treatment for life. It is suggested here that antibiotic treatment to prevent arthritis, the most common condition caused by rheumatic fever, as well as heart disease, is valuable in preventing subsequent disability. Lifelong antibiotic treatment should be considered if there is a history of carditis or active rheumatic carditis; long-term antibiotic treatment should be considered for patients without carditis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Streptococcal infections, Causes of, Complications and side effects, Drug therapy, Ohio, West Virginia, Rheumatic heart disease, Rheumatic fever, Pericarditis

---

Major infectious diseases causing excess morbidity in the Hispanic population

Article Abstract:

The prevalence of infectious diseases, that is, illnesses which can be passed from one person to another, is closely tied to socioeconomic level, environmental influences (e.g. household sanitation), educational achievement, access to health care, geographical location, and other variables. As a group, Hispanic individuals (defined as persons living in the United States and of Spanish descent, origin or culture) have a sizeable proportion of their population living under suboptimal conditions, traveling to or from areas of high infection, or being at higher risk for contracting infectious diseases because of other factors. By conducting a computerized search of the biomedical literature (MEDLINE search of the National Library of Medicine database for the period between 1980 and 1990, as well as other national surveys including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey II, the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and others), a list was compiled of major diseases for which there is evidence of a disproportionately high incidence or impact among Hispanics than among the general population. These diseases include AIDS/human immunodeficiency virus infection, cysticercosis, hepatitis A, syphilis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, chlamydia, leprosy, malaria, amoebic dysentery, bacterial gastrointestinal diseases, measles, and parasites. These higher rates of disease can be attributed to environmental variables that could be controlled if the proper steps are taken. These steps include improved health education of families and communities, appropriate screening programs, and elimination of social and economic barriers to health care management and disease prevention. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Infection, Communicable diseases, Hispanic Americans

---

Immunotesting for diagnosis in rheumatic diseases

Article Abstract:

During the past 40 years laboratory tests have been developed for rheumatic diseases, including various forms of arthritis, lupus and Sjogren's disease. Because the individual tests are not completely reliable, many laboratories offer "rheumatology profiles," batteries of tests with a diagnostic interpretation. Some physicians are led into improper or wrong diagnoses on the basis of these often defective reports, and patients are needlessly subjected to follow-up medical testing and treatment. The author believes these profiles are expensive, problematic and unwarranted. An article in the Archives of Internal Medicine evaluates a test for the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis which is quite accurate. The test correctly identified 93 percent of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis by the use of a specific antibody. Only three percent of the patients who suffered from related rheumatic diseases were incorrectly diagnosed with this antiserum. This marker of the disease should prove extremely valuable in a high percentage of cases.

Methods, Diagnosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Arthritis, Rheumatology, editorial, Wegener's granulomatosis

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The changing face of infectious disease: New threats, new science. Leukemia: steady progress brightens outlook on blood disease
• Abstracts: Urinary tract disorders in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. part 2 Trefoil peptides in the defense of the gastrointestinal tract
• Abstracts: Neonatal outcome after prolonged preterm rupture of the membranes. Relaxin in paired samples of serum and milk from women after term and preterm delivery
• Abstracts: Follow-up status of patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries and panic disorder

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.