McDonald, Malcolm (2018) Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease [in: National guide to a Preventive Health Assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People]. Report Section. Royal Australian College of Physicians, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

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Abstract

[Extract] Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an illness caused by an abnormal and exaggerated immune response to infection with Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus (GAS or Streptococcus pyogenes). The role of preceding GAS throat infection is undisputed, although preceding symptomatic GAS pharyngitis is infrequently identified in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. The role of preceding skin infection in ARF is less certain. 3 Immune priming is possibly important but the exact pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive.

ARF remains the commonest cause of acquired heart disease in children worldwide. The community incidence of ARF is a sensitive marker of childhood disadvantage. In Australia and nearby Pacific nations, the incidence of ARF varies widely: children in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Northern and Central Australia, Pacific Islanders, Maori people and refugees are in the highest risk groups. In some remote communities, reported prevalence rates of greater than 300 per 100,000 children aged 5–14 years are more than 100 times that of the wider Australian population.

Item ID:	52879
Item Type:	Report (Report Section)
ISBN:	978-0-86906-487-0
Related URLs:	Publisher
Copyright Information:	© The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2018
Date Deposited:	11 Mar 2018 22:57
FoR Codes:	32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3201 Cardiovascular medicine and haematology > 320101 Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases) @ 50% 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3204 Immunology > 320401 Allergy @ 50%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920103 Cardiovascular System and Diseases @ 50% 92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920302 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health Status and Outcomes @ 50%
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