Validity of throat culture in rteumatic carditis

Abstract

A prospective  sndy of 30 patients with acute rtrcumatic fever (ARF) as diagnosed by the revised Duckett Jones criteria was conducted during the period fiom October 197- Febnrary 1998 in Mosul city- Special emphasis on the clinical presentation and laboratory investigation including thrcat culnne (IC) for streptococci and antistreptolysin  O (ASO) titer were performed to assess the validity of both tests in patients with and without fieumatic carditis-
Arthritis was diagnosed in 24 patients (80/o) most commonly involving bigjoints. Carditis was a complication in 8 patients (26.6%). Fever. high erytfrmcyte sedimentalion rate (ESR), and high ASO titer were common for all patients. Throat culture was positive in 8 patients (26.6%) all without carditis, Those with carditis were negative for TC andlhere was no hisory of prior antibiotic administratioL It is concluded that TC for patients with c€rditis is not essential as evidence ofprevious streptococcal infection and raised ASO titer is enough.