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Research

The evidence that rheumatic heart disease control programs in Australia are making an impact

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) comprises heart-valve damage caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The Australian Government Rheumatic Fever Strategy funds RHD Control Programs to support detection and management of ARF and RHD. We assessed epidemiological changes during the years of RHD Control Program operation.

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Outcomes of latent rheumatic heart disease: External validation of a simplified score in patients with and without secondary prophylaxis

Secondary antibiotic prophylaxis reduces progression of latent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) but not all children benefit. Improved risk stratification could refine recommendations following positive screening. We aimed to evaluate the performance of a previously developed echocardiographic risk score to predict mid-term outcomes among children with latent RHD. 

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Low positive predictive value of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes in relation to rheumatic heart disease: a challenge for global surveillance

We outline a series of research initiatives to improve identification of RHD in administrative data thereby contributing to monitoring the RHD burden globally

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Rheumatic Heart Disease Severity, Progression and Outcomes: A Multi‐State Model

The prognosis of young Indigenous Australians diagnosed with severe RHD is bleak; interventions must focus on earlier detection and treatment

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Primary prevention of acute rheumatic fever

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an abnormal immune reaction following Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) infection of the throat, and likely the skin. Primary prevention is the prompt and appropriate antibiotic treatment of Strep A infection, and it can reduce the risk of developing ARF and subsequent rheumatic heart disease.

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Contemporary Incidence and Prevalence of Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Australia Using Linked Data: The Case for Policy Change

Jonathan Judy Alex Jeffrey Rosemary Carapetis AM Katzenellenbogen Brown Cannon Wyber AM MBBS FRACP FAFPHM PhD FAHMS BSc (Occ Ther) BSc Hons (

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Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis of Acute Rheumatic Fever

The diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever relies on a combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory studies. Diagnosis is usually made using the Jones criteria, which have recently been updated in 2015.

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Development of Group A streptococcal vaccines: an unmet global health need

This review provides an update on the current status of Group A Streptococcus vaccine development, & describes global efforts to accelerate the development...

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The stark reality of rheumatic heart disease

This editorial refers to ‘Characteristics, complications, and gaps in evidence-based interventions in rheumatic heart disease: the Global Rheumatic Heart...