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Primary prevention of acute rheumatic feverAcute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an abnormal immune reaction following Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) infection of the throat, and likely the skin. Primary prevention is the prompt and appropriate antibiotic treatment of Strep A infection, and it can reduce the risk of developing ARF and subsequent rheumatic heart disease.
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Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis of Acute Rheumatic FeverThe diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever relies on a combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory studies. Diagnosis is usually made using the Jones criteria, which have recently been updated in 2015.

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Australia a key contributor to global commitment to end deadly rheumatic heart diseaseThe World Health Organisation resolution for global action to tackle rheumatic heart disease (RHD) will have significant implications for Australia, which has some of the highest rates of the disease in the world.
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Outcomes of latent rheumatic heart disease: External validation of a simplified score in patients with and without secondary prophylaxisSecondary antibiotic prophylaxis reduces progression of latent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) but not all children benefit. Improved risk stratification could refine recommendations following positive screening. We aimed to evaluate the performance of a previously developed echocardiographic risk score to predict mid-term outcomes among children with latent RHD.Â
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Low positive predictive value of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes in relation to rheumatic heart disease: a challenge for global surveillanceWe outline a series of research initiatives to improve identification of RHD in administrative data thereby contributing to monitoring the RHD burden globally
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Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseaseAcute rheumatic fever (ARF) is the result of an autoimmune response to pharyngitis caused by infection with group A Streptococcus.
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Rheumatic heart disease in Timor-Leste school students: an echocardiography-based prevalence studyThe rates of RHD in Timor-Leste are among the highest in the world, and prevalence is higher among girls than boys
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The stark reality of rheumatic heart diseaseThis editorial refers to ‘Characteristics, complications, and gaps in evidence-based interventions in rheumatic heart disease: the Global Rheumatic Heart...
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Echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease in indigenous Australian children: A cost-utility analysisEchocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease is cost-effective in our context
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Disparity in Mortality From Rheumatic Heart Disease in Indigenous AustraliansThis study was undertaken to provide a comprehensive examination of rheumatic heart disease mortality rates and trends in Indigenous Australians.