The Haemolytic Streptococcus as a Factor in the Causation of Acute Rheumatism

Abstract

Introduction.-The conception of acute rheumatism as a manifestation of, or sequel to, infection with the haemolytic streptococcus has lately received much support. Coburn (1931) has put forward clinical, epidemiological and bacteriological evidence of the causal relationship of this micro-organism. Perhaps the most striking results which he records are those of skin reactions on rheumatic and non- rheumatic subjects in which he used ' nucleo-protein ' from a variety of bacteria. An association between infections of the upper respiratory tract and skin reactions to the homologous nucleo-protein could be demonstrated, and in cases of acute rheumatism the haemolytic streptococcus appeared to be the important invader as judged by cutaneous allergy.