ABSTRACT
Rheumatic fever [RF] is the most common cause of heart diseases in the 5-15 years age group. Prophylactic use of I.M. injection of long acting benzathine penicillin remains the most effective mean of preventing recurrences of RF. The effect of prolonged use of this drug on neutrophil function was studied in 134 patients: 96 with Ch.R.H.D., 13 with active RF, 13 used short course antibiotics therapy and 12 as a control group. In chronic RF, significantly elevated scores in neutrophil alkaline phosphatase [NAP] and myeloperoxidase [MPO] was found, compared to control group. In cases of active RF patients, there was significant elevation in all scores except [MPO] which is reduced compared to control group. On the other hand, the effect of short course antibiotics showed significant elevated scores of degenerative index [DI], MPO and NAP. From the above results, it may be concluded that the use of long acting penicillin prophylaxis in Ch.R.F. improves the neutrophilic function through preservation of MPO level which is important in the defence mechanisms against infection due to its bactericidal effect and through potentiating the phagocytic functions