Culturing the throat to protect the heart: Dr. Milton Markowitz and the prevention of rheumatic fever.
The purpose of this article is to briefly review how the understanding of rheumatic fever has evolved over the last 50 years. Particular emphasis is given to the identification of the Group A streptococcus as the causative agent of rheumatic fever and the use of antibiotics to treat and prevent rheumatic fever. Throughout his 50-year career, Dr. Milton Markowitz, former chairman of the department of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, has been involved in these advances as an international expert on rheumatic fever prevention. Using archival materials, including some of the earliest literature descriptions of rheumatic fever, as well as an extended interview with Dr. Markowitz, the authors present a unique personal perspective both on the history of rheumatic fever and the context within which the scientific advances that have led to contemporary treatment and prevention strategies have evolved.
Murray
T
T
Department of Medicine, John Dempsey Hospital University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA.
Grey
M
M
D003237:Connecticut; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000266:history; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000266:history* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States