title: Clinical and laboratory features of acute rheumatic fever: a 18-year experience.
abstract: We present the retrospective analysis of clinical manifestations and laboratory findings observed in 30 patients (M/F 13/17; age range 9-66 yrs) affected by acute rheumatic fever observed within the Infectious Disease Department along a period of 18 years (1986-2004). Diagnosis of carditis was stated on clinical and echocardiographical bases and occurred in 50% of patients. Such patients presented mild to moderate heart disease (30%) and severe carditis (20%). Therefore, our data stand to confirm that rheumatic cardiac disease could determine permanent and/or severe heart damage. All patients were observed during a 48-month period of follow-up without exitus.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Department, A.O. Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Eliseo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Minola
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arosio
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Passerini Tosi
authors.forename: Fredy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Suter
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goglio
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006327:Heart Block / Q000175:diagnosis; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin