摘要: We undertook a retrospective analysis of the incidence acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in Memphis-Shelby County during five-year period from 1977 through 1981. Cases were identified by review local hospital records and mail telephone communication with 327 primary care physicians neurologists. Forty-one patients met modified Jones criteria, whom 16 had conditions that diagnosed Memphis but who resided elsewhere. The overall ARF among residents was 0.64 cases per 100,000 population each year. highest rate, 3.74, found blacks aged 5 to 17 years residing inner city, while white children suburban rural areas rate only 0.49. Current strategies for prevention diagnosis must take into account extraordinarily low level which disease has fallen certain US populations. ( JAMA 1983;249:895-898)