[Epidemiologic characteristics of streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlatina and rheumatic fever in the area of Belgrade 1981-1987].

The paper deals with the epidemiological data on streptococcal diseases (pharyngitis, scarlet fever and rheumatic fever) over the period from 1981-1987. The results of epidemiological investigations revealed a continuous decrease of rheumatic fever in the population, aged from 0 to 19 years. The maximum mortality rate of streptococcal diseases was registered in 1982 with 4,259.59 cases of streptococcal pharyngitis, 544.08 cases of scarlet fever and 9.17 of rheumatic fever on 100,000 inhabitants. The minimum morbidity rate for rheumatic fever was registered in 1987 (3,31%). Over the period from 1976-1987 the morbidity rate of rheumatic fever was twice and four times decreased in the Belgrade population, aged 0-19 years. According to the conclusions of the Vith Republican Meeting on Rheumatic Fever (Belgrade, 1980) a success in primary prophylaxis of rheumatic fever was achieved. But, there are still some questions without answer, as for instance, what is the relation between the carrier and the risk of rheumatic fever; why the human alone is susceptible to rheumatic fever; is the immunisation a future alternative approach, ets. In view of current epidemiological data on rheumatic fever in the world, it is necessary to start with a longterm prospective epidemiological study to determine the prevalent M-types of group A streptococci directly related to rheumatic fever.