Rheumatic Fever a neglected and underdiagnosed disease. New perspective on diagnosis

The Rheumatic fever (RF) and the rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remain important health problems among populations of developing countries1. The number of studies is scarce, and public and private investments are practically inexistent. In addition, the cases of rheumatic fever are underdiagnosed, and are recognized only following permanent valve damage through the manifestation of carditis, more frequently represented by mitral stenosis.