[Fever of unknown origin: case reports from routine clinical practice and a review]

Klin Mikrobiol Infekc Lek. 2021 Dec;27(4):148-157.
[Article in Czech]

Abstract

Fever of unknown origin represents a clinical syndrome characterized by a fever of over 38.3 °C documented on several occasions during a period of at least 3 weeks, etiology of which remains unexplained after obtaining a detailed history, conducting a thorough physical exam, and an array of basic laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging. Most cases of this syndrome are caused by infections, non-infectious inflammatory diseases, and neoplasms. In addition, drug fevers and internal medicine diseases should be included in the differential diagnostic work-up in all patients. This article presents five case reports of fever of unknown origin managed at an outpatient clinic of a tertiary care center for infectious diseases. This case series emphasizes the need for a consistent, broad and interdisciplinary diagnostic work-up. In addition, we present a review of the etiology and clinical management of fever of unknown origin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Coagulation Tests
  • Fever of Unknown Origin* / diagnosis
  • Fever of Unknown Origin* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / complications
  • Physical Examination