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Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022 Jun 27:2082207. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

Department of Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Safety concerns about novel vaccines and necessity of COVID-19 vaccination for children, especially with underlying medical conditions, are the obstacle of COVID-19 vaccination program among pediatric population. The study was conducted to investigate the vaccine hesitancy reasons among the parents, and to monitor the adverse events of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines in children and teenagers with underlying medical conditions in China. Children with underlying medical conditions encountered to the Immunization Advisory Clinic for COVID-19 vaccine counseling were enrolled. Read More

Infect Drug Resist 2022 18;15:3179-3189. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: This study aimed (i) to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors related to in-hospital mortality in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and (ii) to compare the differences in three age groups.

Methods: A total of 240 IE cases diagnosed using the modified Duke criteria between January 2016 and December 2019 were included and retrospectively studied. Patients were stratified into three age groups: < 50 y, 50-65 y, and > 65 y. Read More

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2022 22;35(4):550-551. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Department of Dermatology, Baylor Scott and White Medical Center, Temple, Texas.

A 41-year-old woman presented for evaluation of a pruritic eruption with an abrupt onset, starting on her flanks and then spreading to her arms and legs. She had 2 weeks of fever, chills, malaise, migratory joint pain, nausea, and mental confusion. An antistreptolysin O titer was positive. Read More

Med Sci (Basel) 2022 Jun 15;10(2). Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA.

Valvular heart disease is a rapidly growing cause of global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality with diverse and evolving geographic distribution. The prevalence of rheumatic heart disease, the most common valvular heart disease (affecting approximately 41 million people), has been rising in developing nations, likely due to the expansion of the young adult population and the decrease in premature mortality that has resulted from improved access to antibiotics, microbiological testing, and echocardiography. Rheumatic heart disease has also been rising among the impoverished and, often, indigenous populations of developed nations, spurring public health initiatives that are aimed at alleviating healthcare disparities. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2022 Jun 22:e025284. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation University of Washington Seattle WA.

Background Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) takes a heavy toll in low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to present worldwide estimates for the burden of the RHD during 1990 to 2019 using the GBD (Global Burden of Disease) study. Methods and Results Sociodemographic index (SDI) and age-period-cohort analysis were used to assess inequity. Read More

N Z Med J 2022 Feb 25;135(1550):62-73. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Cardiologist, Green Lane Cardiovascular Service, Auckland City Hospital.

Aims: We reviewed the baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and compared those with and without rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients ≥15 years with IE treated at Auckland City Hospital between January 2016 and December 2018 and excluded device-related IE and complex congenital heart disease. RHD status was based on echocardiographic features or previous history of rheumatic fever with valvular disease. Read More

N Z Med J 2021 12 17;134(1547):63-70. Epub 2021 Dec 17.

Head of School of Nursing, College of Health, Massey University - Albany, SNW Extension, Albany Expressway (SH17), Auckland 0632, New Zealand.

Aim: The following article reports an audit, conducted between July 2014 and July 2017, of adherence to best practice in medication administration and documentation by nurses.

Method: A sample of 47 registered nurses' (RNs') documentation relating to the administration of 939 medications using standing order directives were examined and scored by seven senior nurses and a medical practitioner against an audit tool. The scores were divided into four quartiles with the top two quartiles demonstrating best practice in adherence to safety standards for the administration of medication. Read More

S D Med 2022 May;75(5):212-215

Department of Pediatrics, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A previously healthy 8-year-old Native American female presented with right-sided weakness and joint pain for two weeks. Following an initially unremarkable workup including negative brain and spine MRI she was noticed to have chorea and subsequently diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever (ARF). ARF is a group A streptococcus-related disease that most commonly is a sequelae of pharyngitis. Read More

Cardiol Young 2022 Jun 20:1-5. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Medicine Faculty, Konya, Turkey.

Introduction: Acute rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease that develops due to streptococcal infection. The positive effect of breastfeeding on the development of the child's immune system is well documented. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of breast milk intake period on the development of carditis. Read More

J Pediatr 2022 Jun;245:246-249

Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal.

Pediatr Int 2022 Jan;64(1):e15133

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University Denizli, Denizli, Turkey.

Background: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and it can cause serious adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and side effects of ibuprofen in the treatment of ARF compared to the classic treatment, ASA.

Methods: Children who were hospitalized for the treatment of ARF with isolated arthritis and mild carditis between October 2015 and October 2018 and who received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy were evaluated in the study. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2022 Jun 14;22(1):266. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most commonly acquired heart disease in children and young people in low and middle-income settings. Fragile health systems and scarcity of data persist to limit the understanding of the relative burden of this disease. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of RHD and to assess the RHD-related health care systems in Namibia. Read More

Eur J Gen Pract 2022 Dec;28(1):142-149

Department of Family Medicine and Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, The Haim Doron Division of Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Background: Acute upper respiratory infections are the most common reason for primary physician visits in the community. This study investigated whether the type of antibiotic used to treat streptococcal tonsillitis can reduce the burden by affecting the number of additional visits.

Objectives: To assess the effect of different antibiotic treatments for tonsillitis on the number of additional primary physician visits and the development of infectious or inflammatory sequels. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2022 Jun 11;24(1):138. Epub 2022 Jun 11.

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a critical public health issue worldwide, and its epidemiological patterns have changed over the decades. This article aimed to estimate the global trends of RHD, and attributable risks from 1990 to 2019.

Methods: Data on RHD burden were explored from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Read More

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 2022 Jun 8. Epub 2022 Jun 8.

Department of Rheumatology, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton.

A 55-year-old man was admitted to a hospital in Northeast India with fever, cough and breathlessness and was diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. He was a known case of seropositive, erosive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and was taking disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The patient was treated with remdesivir, heparin and a short course of corticosteroids for COVID-19 pneumonia. Read More

Mater Today Bio 2022 Jun 19;15:100296. Epub 2022 May 19.

Department of Joint and Orthopedics, Orthopedic Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China.

Long-term use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate (MTX) shows clinical benefits for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. However, there are growing concerns over the adverse effects of systemic drug administration. Therefore, a strategy that can enhance drug bioavailability while minimizing side effects is urgently needed, but remains a challenge in RA therapy. Read More

Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi 2022 ;59(2):233-236

Department of General Internal Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is considered in the differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in the elderly. We describe the case of an 83-year-old man with GCA diagnosed by temporal artery biopsy (TBA), who did not exhibit abnormal physical and imaging findings. The patient had fever and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), which had persisted for two months. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2022 Sep 26;362:93-96. Epub 2022 May 26.

Green Lane Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address:

In-vitro evidence suggests hydroxychloroquine could be a potential immunomodulator for the inflammatory carditis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Hydroxychloroquine used as an anti-inflammatory agent has a low side effect profile but its use in the Covid-19 pandemic raised concerns about QTc interval prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias. The prolongation of QTc in ARF appears benign but has not been widely studied. Read More

Rev Prat 2022 Mar;72(3):239-244

Service de rhumatologie, hôpital Mongi-Slim, Tunis, Tunisie.

Vaccinations for patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatism during a pandemic. Read More

JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc 2022 May 5;60(249):419-424. Epub 2022 May 5.

Department of Cardiology, Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Introduction: Valvular heart disease continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality around the world, with rheumatic heart disease accounting for the bulk of cases in developing nations. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease among patients with valvular heart disease admitted to the in-patient department of a tertiary care centre.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December, 2018 to December, 2020 at a tertiary care centre after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review [Reference number: 395 (6-11) e2 077/078]. Read More

Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Apr 22;10(5). Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy.

Vulnerable subjects, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, have been prioritised to receive anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Few data about the safety of these vaccines in SLE are available. The aim of our study is to investigate the safety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in SLE. Read More

Pathogens 2022 Apr 21;11(5). Epub 2022 Apr 21.

Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo 1113, Mozambique.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes superficial and invasive infections and immune mediated post-infectious sequalae (including acute rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease). Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are important determinants of global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. ARF is a multiorgan inflammatory disease that is triggered by GAS infection that activates the innate immune system. Read More

Aust N Z J Public Health 2022 May 26. Epub 2022 May 26.

College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Queensland.

Objectives: To evaluate the secondary prevention of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the Townsville region, Australia.

Methods: Adherence to benzathine benzylpenicillin G (BPG) was determined for 196 children and young adults aged under 22 years between January 2009 and December 2019, and factors associated with BPG adherence were analysed. Secondary outcomes included attendance at specialist reviews and echocardiograms. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2022 16;2022:5601531. Epub 2022 May 16.

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhur, 22511 El-Beheira, Egypt.

is a medicinal plant used as an anti-inflammatory and for rheumatic pain in the traditional medicine of Peru. On the other hand, is the main vector of several tropical diseases and the transmitter of yellow fever, chikungunya, malaria, dengue, and Zika virus. In this study, the aim was to investigate the antioxidant activity in vitro and the insecticidal activity in silico, in the presence of the mosquito juvenile hormone-binding protein (mJHBP) from , of the essential oil from leaves. Read More

J Intern Med 2022 May 25. Epub 2022 May 25.

Department of Rheumatology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund-Malmö, Sweden.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting people older than 50 years and is 2-3 times more common in women. The most common symptoms are pain and morning stiffness in the shoulder and pelvic girdle and the onset may be acute or develop over a few days to weeks. General symptoms such as fatigue, fever and weight loss may occur, likely driven by systemic IL-6 signalling. Read More

Turk J Pediatr 2022 ;64(2):350-356

Departments of Pediatric Genetics, okuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey.

Background: Vaccines, which make it possible to be protected from many life-threatening infectious diseases, have been used safely and effectively for years. Most vaccines used today contain a variety of adjuvants and exogenous proteins. Severe reactions, in addition to transient and self-limiting mild reactions, mostly caused by these components, have been reported. Read More

Acad Pathol 2022 17;9(1):100024. Epub 2022 May 17.

Department of Pathology, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA.

Cureus 2022 Apr 16;14(4):e24192. Epub 2022 Apr 16.

Rheumatology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, TUR.

Introduction Further diagnostic procedures are necessary for patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) and unknown cause of inflammation (inflammation of unknown origin - IUO) for the identification of the definitive diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution and roles of F-18 FDG PET/CT (fluoro-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography) in the diagnostic process of patients with FUO/IUO. Methods The data of 58 patients who had F-18 FDG PET/CT scans for FUO/IUO were re-evaluated retrospectively. Read More

S Afr Med J 2022 04 30;112(5):321-327. Epub 2022 Apr 30.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Historically, infective endocarditis (IE) in South Africa (SA) was associated with the viridans group of streptococci affecting patients with underlying rheumatic heart disease (RHD). A changing IE bacteriological profile raises the question of whether the profile of underlying valvular abnormality has changed.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of underlying structural valve abnormalities and their aetiologies associated with IE in SA, and describe the typical imaging findings. Read More

Cardiol Young 2022 May 19:1-6. Epub 2022 May 19.

University of Health Sciences, Van Training and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Van, Turkey.

Aim: In this single-centre prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the role of growth differentiation factor-15 in children with acute rheumatic fever.

Methods: The study group included 25 children with acute rheumatic fever, and the control group included 25 healthy children. In addition to routine laboratory tests used in the diagnosis and treatment of acute rheumatic fever, growth differentiation factor-15 levels of the study group (at the time of diagnosis and after the treatment) and the control group were assessed and compared. Read More