Rheumatic Fever and post-group a streptococcal arthritis in children.

[acute rheumatic fever]

There are several diseases associated with group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infection ; the two most common are acute rheumatic fever (ARF ) and poststreptococcal reactive arthritis (PsRA ). Epidemiological and clinical data for both diseases are described , as well as current recommendations for treatment and prevention . There is an ongoing debate as to whether these two are different diseases or are parts of the spectrum of the same disease . There are some reports of carditis developing after PsRA , suggesting that PsRA may be part of the spectrum of ARF . However , since there are substantial clinical , immunological , and genetic differences between PsRA and ARF , we believe PsRA to be a distinct entity .