Which diagnostic criteria apply to acute rheumatic fever?

The diagnostic criteria for acute rheumatic fever are based on the Jones criteria, which outline the importance of both major and minor manifestations. To diagnose acute rheumatic fever, a patient typically needs either two major criteria or one major criterion in conjunction with two minor criteria.

Major criteria include manifestations such as carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum, and subcutaneous nodules. Minor criteria involve clinical features like fever, arthralgia, elevated acute phase reactants (such as ESR or CRP), and a prolonged PR interval on ECG.

Choosing the combination of two major criteria or one major and two minor criteria accurately reflects the need for a robust presentation of symptoms to establish the diagnosis. This structured approach ensures that only those cases with significant evidence of rheumatic fever are identified, minimizing misdiagnosis. Thus, the correct option correctly summarizes this essential aspect of the diagnostic criteria.