[Streptococcal rheumatic fever in adults]

Thirty-seven cases of streptococcal rheumatic fever in adults (20 women and 17 men; mean age 33 years) are reported. Only 3 patients had a history of previous rheumatic fever. In 73% of the cases untreated sore throat had occurred 8 to 30 days before the condition developed. Throat swabs taken during the rheumatic attack were positive for Streptococcus haemolyticus in only 5 out of 22 patients. The joints most commonly affected were those of the lower limbs and the symptoms were severe; in 2 out of 3 patients other joints were subsequently involved. Five patients had stable mitral regurgitation of undetermined duration, with systolic murmur. ECG abnormalities were noted in 7 patients, including 5 with prolongation of the PR interval and 2 with moderate elevation of the ST segment; these abnormalities regressed in all cases. No specific skin lesions were observed. The streptococcal infection was associated with a rise in antistreptolysins in 73% of the cases, a rise in antistreptokinases in 80% and a rise in both types of antibodies in 97%. Response to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs was satisfactory in all cases. Cure was achieved within less than one month in 57% of the patients, but the condition lasted three years in 3 patients.