Update on acute rheumatic fever: it still exists in remote communities.
OBJECTIVE
To remind physicians who work with aboriginal populations of the ongoing prevalence of acute rheumatic fever and to review the recent evidence on presentation, treatment, and secondary prophylaxis.


METHODS
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched from 1996 to 2007 with a focus on prevention, epidemiology, and disease management. Case series data from medical records at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre in Ontario were also used.


RESULTS
Acute rheumatic fever is still a clinical entity in aboriginal communities in northwest Ontario. Identification, treatment, and secondary prophylaxis are necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute rheumatic fever is not a forgotten disease and still exists in remote areas of Canada.
Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Box 489, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1A8, Canada. smadden@slmhc.on.ca
Sharen
S
Madden
Len
L
Kelly
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents