The role of the streptococcus in poststreptococcal reactive arthritis and childhood polyarteritis nodosa.

Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis is most likely a form of acute rheumatic fever. However, it frequently differs by early development of arthritis after pharyngitis, more prolonged arthritis or arthralgia and a less dramatic response to aspirin. The use of prophylactic penicillin is discussed and advocated. Childhood polyarteritis may be divided into a cutaneous form and a more generalized form that usually involves the kidney but frequently also the gastrointestinal tract, heart, or nervous system. Nine children with polyarteritis nodosa are described and their disease related to a prior streptococcal infection.