A Global Challenge

RHD remains endemic wherever there is poverty, overcrowding, and fractured primary healthcare services.  While RHD is largely preventable, more than one out of every one-hundred children show signs of early RHD in many world regions.  Prompt diagnosis of ARF is critically important, because children with ARF who start on regular antibiotic prophylaxis are much less likely to have recurrent strep A infections and develop advanced RHD.  Yet, currently ARF diagnosis is rare and more than 80% of people who are diagnosed with RHD, are diagnosed with severe valvular heart disease, too late to benefit from prophylaxis. A simple, reliable, and affordable diagnostic test for ARF is urgently needed.