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Improving the well-being for young people living with rheumatic heart disease: A peer support pilot program through Danila Dilba Health Service

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia have an inequitable burden of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), concentrated among young people and necessitating ongoing medical care during adolescence. There is an unmet need for improved well-being and support for these young people to complement current biomedical management.

High risk of early sub-therapeutic penicillin concentrations after intramuscular benzathine penicillin G injections in Ethiopian children and adults with rheumatic heart disease

Intramuscular benzathine penicillin G (BPG) injections are a cornerstone of secondary prophylaxis to prevent acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Uncertainties regarding inter-ethnic and preparation variability, and target exposure profiles of BPG injection are key knowledge gaps for RHD control.

Primary prevention of acute rheumatic fever

Acute 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.

Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis of Acute Rheumatic Fever

The 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.

Focused cardiac ultrasound screening for rheumatic heart disease by briefly trained health workers: A study of diagnostic accuracy

Echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) can identify individuals with subclinical disease who could benefit from antibiotic prophylaxis.

Seven key actions to eradicate rheumatic heart disease in Africa: the Addis Ababa communiqué

Develop a 'roadmap' of key actions that need to be taken by governments to eliminate ARF and eradicate RHD in Africa

Myositis complicating benzathine penicillin-G injection in a case of rheumatic heart disease

A 7-year old boy developed myositis secondary to intramuscular injection of benzathine penicillin-G in the context of secondary prophylaxis for RF

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is the result of an autoimmune response to pharyngitis caused by infection with group A Streptococcus.

Development of Group A streptococcal vaccines: an unmet global health need

This review provides an update on the current status of Group A Streptococcus vaccine development, & describes global efforts to accelerate the development...

Rheumatic heart disease in Indigenous children in northern Australia: Differences in prevalence and the challenges of screening

This study compared regional differences in the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in Indigenous Australian children, and describes the logistical and...