Streptococcal tonsillitis and acute nonrheumatic myopericarditis.

Two young men with streptococcal tonsillitis had acute myopericarditis mimicking myocardial infarction. Subsequently, 264 consecutive army conscripts hospitalized with a fever and sore throat underwent throat cultures. Group A streptococci were found in 84 patients. When these patients were systematically screened by serial electrocardiography for myocarditis, one case of probable asymptomatic myocarditis was diagnosed. None had signs of acute rheumatic fever. All three patients received penicillin therapy when the signs of myocarditis appeared. Their recovery was good.