Rheumatic fever recurrences and streptococcal infections in rheumatic fever patients receiving regular intramuscular Benzathine penicillin prophylaxis(Thai)

Abstract

To study the incidence of streptococcal infections and the recurrences of rheumatic fever in rheumatic fever patients receiving regular intramuscular benzathine penicillin prophylaxis, we examined all patients with rheumatic fever who were followed at the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University during October 2003 to September 2004. There were 105 rheumatic fever patients and two hundred and four throat cultures were collected. Streptococcal infection occurred in 7 patients and throat swab cultures showed group A beta hemolytic streptococcus in one patient. The patients in Northeast Thailand who received benzathine penicillin prophylaxis every 4 weeks were still at risk of inter-current streptococcal infections. The 3-week regimen should be considered in these patients.