[Rheumatic fever in the 80s]

Two contradictory changes related to rheumatic fever existed in the 80's. A constant, almost dramatic fall of rheumatic fever incidence occurred in the second half of the 80's. This fact was explained by improvement of living conditions and way of life, as well as by a developed health service. But, unexpectedly, a sudden rise of rheumatic fever incidence occurred in many states of the United States of America in that period. The medical experts were reminded that similar danger might also be expected in other countries. This increase of rheumatic fever incidence was followed by severe forms of the disease. In the 80's intensive epidemiologic, microbiologic and molecular researches of the beta haemolytic streptococcus A and parallel genetic investigations of the population with rheumatic fever, were undertaken. The aim of these studies was to discover the rheumatogenic factor in the streptococcus and to differentiate it from the immunogenic one, as well as to detect the genetic factor in the sick people. In this way these findings would be the best contribution to the knowledge of the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever and to a more efficacious protection (vaccination).