RF and RHD remain significant causes of cardiovascular diseases in the world today. Despite a documented decrease in the incidence of acute RF and a similar documented decrease in the prevalence of RHD in industrialized countries during the past five decades, these non-suppurative cardiovascular sequel of group A streptococcal pharyngitis remain medical and public health problems in both indus- trialized and industrializing countries even at the beginning of the 21st century. The most devastating effects are on children and young adults in their most productive years
