The Effect of Penicillin on Acute Rheumatic Fever and Valvular Heart Disease

Abstract

THE control of symptoms of acute rheumatic fever is easily attained by several methods of therapy, but no form of treatment has had a marked effect on acute carditis and valvular heart disease, the two complications that determine the ultimate prognosis. Since the initiating event of the acute rheumatic episode is infection by the Group A streptococcus, it appeared logical to attempt to alter the course of established rheumatic fever by removing the original inciting agent. To accomplish this objective, 49 patients with acute rheumatic fever received large doses of penicillin, and 48 patients received no antibiotic and served as . . .