Rheumatic Fever and Post-Group A Streptococcal Arthritis in Children

There are several diseases associated with group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infection; the two most common are acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and poststreptococcal reactive arthritis (PsRA). Epidemiological and clinical data for both diseases are described, as well as current recommendations for treatment and prevention. There is an ongoing debate as to whether these two are different diseases or are parts of the spectrum of the same disease. There are some reports of carditis developing after PsRA, suggesting that PsRA may be part of the spectrum of ARF. However, since there are substantial clinical, immunological, and genetic differences between PsRA and ARF, we believe PsRA to be a distinct entity.