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Development of rheumatic heart disease is influenced by different factors. After pharyngeal infection with beta-hemolytic group A streptococcal bacteria, less than 3% of patients develop rheumatic fever and around 40% of those patients develop rheumatic heart disease. Antigenic mimicry, genetic predisposition, and gut/oral microbiota all determine susceptibility to RHD. Figure generated using Biorender.com (accessed on 1 June 2023).
