Table 3

Comparison of post-streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) and acute rheumatic fever (ARF)

PSRA

ARF

Age

Bimodal: 8-14 years and 21-37 years

5-15 years with peak incidence around 12 years

Disease onset post streptococcal infection

7-10 days

10-28 days

Joint involvment

Additive and persistent; large, small and axial joints

Migratory, transient; mainly large joints

Acute phase reactants

Moderatly elevated

Markedly elevated

Response of arthritis to acetylsalicylic acid or NSAID treatment

Poor to moderate

Dramatic

Genetic markers

Increased frequency of HLA DRB1*01

Increased frequency of the HLA DRB1*16 allele

Carditis

Conflicting reports, but uncommon

Major diagnostic criteria, between 60-70%

Antibiotic prophylaxis

Antibiotic prophylaxis for one year if echocardiogram is normal

Long-term secondary antibiotic prophylaxis

NSAID: Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs

Uziel et al. Pediatric Rheumatology 2011 9:32   doi:10.1186/1546-0096-9-32