For diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever, essential feature is

The diagnosis, according to the revised Jones criteria, is based upon two or more major manifestations, or one major and two or more minor manifestations; evidence of preceding streptococcal infection is also required. JONES CRITERIA FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF RHEUMATIC FEVER Major manifestations Carditis Polyathritis Chorea Erythema marginatum Subcutaneous nodules Minor manifestations Fever Arthralgia Previous rheumatic fever Raised ESR or CRP Leucocytosis First – degree AV block PLUS Supporting evidence of preceding streptococcal infection: recent scarlet fever, raised antistreptolysin 0 or other streptococ-cal antibody titre, positive throat culture N. B. Evidence of recent streptococcal infection.