Update on the diagnosis, management and treatment of fever of unknown origin: review article and case report / Actualización en el diagnóstico, manejo y tratamiento de la fiebre de origen desconocido: artículo de revisión y reporte de caso

INTRODUCTION Actually, there are more than 200 different causes of unknown fever, it is necessary for the doctor to identify the most prevalent causes of unknown fever in our Clinical boar. PRESENTATION A 52-year-old male patient with no history of chronic diseases, which was received in the Emergency Service of the Hospital San Pablo, Coquimbo, on 02/03/20 began a clinical picture characterized by fever up to 39 ºC associated with diaphoresis, evaluated several times in primary health care without response to symptomatic treatment. He denies dyspnea, cough, sputum production, headache, muscle weakness, myalgia, fainting, decreased visual acuity, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, altered bowel movements, weight loss, dysuria, bladder tenesmus, pain lumbar, skin lesions. As relevant information, the patient reports having taken amoxicillin/clavulanate for 2 days on his own account. DISCUSSION Physicians should be aware of the rare extent of an unusual presentation of knowledge origin fever, probably associated with Still disease, as well as medical options for treatment. The literature does not conclude on a gold standard for the method of approach. CONCLUSION In our case, the etiological agent that could cause Fever of unknown origin (FUO) was Sars cov-2 given the presence of elevated inflammatory factors and acute phase proteins and the presence of neutrophilic infiltration

Fever of unknown origin in special groups

SUMMARY Fever of undetermined origin (FUO) is a challenging entity with a striking presence in hospitals around the world. It is defined as temperature ≥ 37.8 ° C on several occasions, lasting ≥ three weeks, in the absence of diagnosis after three days of hospital investigation or 3 outpatient visits. The main etiologies are infectious, neoplastic, and non-infectious inflammatory diseases. The diagnosis is based on the detailed clinical history and physical examination of these patients, in order to direct the specific complementary tests to be performed in each case. The initial diagnostic approach of the FUO patient should include non-specific complementary exams. Empirical therapy is not recommended (with few exceptions) in patients with prolonged fever, as it may disguise and delay the diagnosis and conduct to treat the specific etiology. The prognosis encompasses mortality of 12-35%, varying according to the baseline etiology.

RESUMO Febre de origem indeterminada (FOI) é uma entidade desafiadora com presença marcante nos hospitais de todo o mundo. É definida como temperatura ≥37,8 ° C em várias ocasiões, com duração ≥3 semanas, na ausência de diagnóstico após três dias de investigação hospitalar ou três consultas ambulatoriais. As principais etiologias são de ordem infecciosa, neoplásica e doenças inflamatórias não infecciosas. O diagnóstico é baseado na história clínica e no exame físico minuciosos desses pacientes, com a finalidade de direcionar os exames complementares específicos a serem realizados em cada caso. A abordagem diagnóstica inicial do paciente com FOI deve incluir exames complementares inespecíficos. A terapia empírica não é recomendada (com poucas exceções) em pacientes com febre prolongada, uma vez que ela pode camuflar e retardar o diagnóstico e a conduta para tratar a etiologia específica. O prognóstico engloba uma mortalidade de 12-35%, variando de acordo com a etiologia de base.

Fever of unknown origin - a literature review

SUMMARY Fever of undetermined origin (FUO) is a challenging entity with a striking presence in hospitals around the world and can be associated with a myriad of differential diagnoses. It is defined as axillary temperature ≥ 37.8 ° C on several occasions, lasting ≥ three weeks, in the absence of diagnosis after three days of hospital investigation or three outpatient visits. The main etiologies are: infectious, neoplastic, and rheumatic. The diagnosis is based on the detailed clinical history and physical examination of these patients, in order to direct the specific complementary tests to be performed in each case. Empirical therapy is not recommended (with few exceptions) in patients with prolonged fever, as it may disguise and delay the diagnosis and conduct to treat the specific etiology. The prognosis encompasses mortality of 12% - 35%, varying according to the underlying etiology. In this sense, the objective of this study is to review the main topics about fever of undetermined origin, bringing historical and scientific aspects, national and international.

RESUMO Febre de origem indeterminada (FOI) é uma entidade desafiadora com presença marcante nos hospitais de todo o mundo, à qual uma miríade de diagnósticos diferenciais podem estar associados. É definida como temperatura axilar ≥37,8 0 C em várias ocasiões, com duração ≥ três semanas, na ausência de diagnóstico após três dias de investigação hospitalar ou três consultas ambulatoriais. As principais etiologias são de ordem infecciosa, neoplásica e reumatológica. O diagnóstico é baseado na história clínica e no exame físico minuciosos desses pacientes, com a finalidade de direcionar os exames complementares específicos a serem realizados em cada caso. A terapia empírica não é recomendada (com poucas exceções) em pacientes com febre prolongada, uma vez que ela pode camuflar e retardar o diagnóstico e a conduta para tratar a etiologia específica. O prognóstico engloba uma mortalidade de 12-35%, variando de acordo com a etiologia de base. O objetivo deste estudo é revisar os principais tópicos acerca da febre de origem indeterminada, trazendo aspectos históricos e científicos, nacionais e internacionais.

Enfermedad de Whipple en paciente con fiebre de origen desconocido / Whipple's disease in a patient with fever of unknown origin

La enfermedad de Whipple es una entidad multisistémica de origen infeccioso causada por una bacteria Gram positiva perteneciente a la familia de los actinomicetos denominada Tropheryma whippleii. Constituye una causa infecciosa infrecuente de fiebre de origen desconocido. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 65 años con cuadro febril de 3 años de evolución, poliartralgias, edema en miembros inferiores, adenopatías periféricas y diarreas ocasionales. Se describen la evolución clínica, los estudios de laboratorio, imagenológicos e histológicos que permitieron hacer el diagnóstico de enfermedad de Whipple. Se considera que la publicación de este caso es importante pues contribuye a mantener presente esta enfermedad entre las posibilidades diagnósticas de los pacientes con fiebre de origen desconocido, aún por lo atípico de esta forma de presentación(AU)

Whipple's disease is a multisystem entity of infectious origin caused by a Gram-positive bacterium called Tropheryma whippleii of the actinomycetes family. This is an infrequent infectious disease causing fever of unknown origin. We present the case of a 65-year-old male patient with a 3-year history of fever, polyarthralgia, lower limb edema, peripheral lymphadenopathy, and occasional diarrhea. The clinical evolution, the laboratory results, imaging and histological studies that allowed the diagnosis of Whipple's disease are described. The publication of this case is considered important because it contributes to keep this disease into account among the diagnostic possibilities of patients with fever of unknown origin, since the atypical nature of this form of presentation(AU)

Paniculitis como manifestación de síndrome febril prolongado en pediatría: Caso clínico / Paniculitis as manifestation of prolonged febrile syndrome: Case report

El síndrome febril prolongado (SFP) se define en pediatría como la presencia de un episodio febril de al menos 7-10 días de evolución sin diagnóstico etiológico pese a un estudio inicial completo. La etiología más frecuente es la infecciosa, seguida por causas inmunoreumatológicas y neoplásicas. En la mayoría de los casos la evolución suele ser benigna y autolimitada, sin embargo una minoría presenta una causa subyacente con pronóstico sombrío, determinando necesidad de un estudio sistematizado. Objetivo: Presentar caso clínico de un escolar con SFP asociado a paniculitis y enfatizar importancia de estudio secuencial de SFP para pesquisar pacientes que requieren intervención oportuna. Caso clínico: Escolar de sexo masculino, 10 años de edad, previamente sano, quien consultó por cuadro de 2 meses de evolución, caracterizado por aparición de lesiones nodulares en abdomen y extremidades, poco sintomáticas, asociado a fiebre prolongada. Se hospitalizó para estudio, descartando causa infecciosa y reumatológica. Se confirmó diagnóstico de linfoma paniculítico de células T mediante biopsia y análisis histológico e inmunohistoquímico de las lesiones. Conclusiones: Al diagnosticar SFP se debe descartar causas más prevalentes (infecciosa) y luego plantear como diagnóstico diferencial etiología reumatológica y neoplásica. Si SFP se asocia a lesiones elementales nodulares, plantear precozmente la biopsia de modo de pesquisar potencial causa maligna y evitar retraso terapéutico.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is defined as fever over 7 to 10 days without a diagnosis despite a complete initial study. The most frequent causes are infections, autoimmune and tumors. Even though most cases are self-limited there is a minority that has an underlying etiology with an ominous forecast, encouraging a systematized study. Objective: To report a rare case of a boy who presented fever of unknown origin associated to panniculitis and was diagnosed of subcutaneous panniculitis-like-T cell lymphoma and to emphasis the importance of a sequential study of FUO, in order to reach a diagnosis in patients who need a timely intervention. Clinical case: A ten year old boy, previously healthy, presented subcutaneous nodular lesions of 2 month of evolution, located in abdominal region and extremities, given few symptoms, associated with prolonged fever. He was hospitalized for proper study, in first instance infectious and immune causes were discarded and through lesions biopsy the diagnose of subcutaneous panniculitis-like-T cell lymphoma was reached. Conclusion: When FUO is diagnosed, most prevalent causes must be discarded. Then, differential diagnosis, such as immune and neoplasic etiologies, have to be considered. If FUO is associated to elemental nodular lesions, biopsy must be indicated early, in order to find potential malignant cases, avoiding therapeutic delay.

Lactantes menores de 3 meses hospitalizados por síndrome febril agudo: Experiencia clínica de 5 años / Children less than 3 months hospitalised due to acute febrile syndrome: 5 years clinical experience

Introducción: La fiebre aguda de origen no precisado (FAONP) es planteada cuando la anamnesis y el examen físico no permiten identificar la causa. En menores de 3 meses esta situación es preocupante, por el riesgo de una infección bacteriana grave. Objetivo: Describir variables clínicas y de laboratorio de pacientes con FAONP, buscando pistas para basar estudios sobre las decisiones a que da lugar este problema. Pacientes y Método: Describimos retrospectivamente una cohorte de menores de 3 meses internados en el Hospital Roberto del Río (2007-2011) por FAONP. Se revisaron las historias clínicas y se efectuó una dicotomización de los pacientes según gravedad del diagnóstico de egreso, en graves y no graves. Se compararon en estratos determinados por variables con interés clínico. Resultados: Durante el periodo de estudio se ingresaron 550 niños con FAONP. La concordancia entre gravedad al ingreso y egreso fue baja (kappa = 0,079; p = 0,26). El 23,8% de los niños fueron graves y el 76,2% no graves. En el grupo de los graves predominó la infección del tracto urinario (68,7%) y en los no graves el síndrome febril agudo (40,7%). Los niveles de corte para la proteína C reactiva, leucocitos y neutrófilos/mm³, para calcular índices fijos y variables, solo mostraron valores predictivos negativos de alguna utilidad para descartar infección bacteriana grave. Las curvas ROC con recuento de leucocitos, neutrófilos y proteína C reactiva, no ofrecen índices fijos de utilidad clínica. El 34,6% de las punciones lumbares fueron traumáticas o fallidas). Conclusiones: De acuerdo a nuestros resultados, parece evidente un exceso de hospitalizaciones, la poca utilidad de exámenes para identificar infección bacteriana grave, un alto porcentaje de punciones lumbares traumáticas o fallidas y excesos de terapias antibióticas. Se hace necesaria una revisión de criterios y procedimientos clínicos.

Introduction: Acute fever of unknown origin (AFUO) is established when the anamnesis and physical examination cannot identify the cause. In infants less than 3 months-old this is situation for concern, due to the risk of a serious bacterial infection. Objective: To describe the clinical and laboratory variable of patients with AFUO, in order to look for clues in order to base studies on the decisions arising drom this problem. Patients and Methods: A report is presented on a retrospective study conducted on a cohort of children less than three months-old admitted to the Hospital Roberto del Río (2007-2011) due to an AFUO. Clinical histories were reviewed and the patients were grouped, according to the severity of the admission diagnosis, into severe and non-severe. They were compared in strata determined by the variables of clinical interest. Resultados: A total of 550 children were admitted with AFUO during the study period. There was low agreement between the severity on admission and at discharge (kappa = 0.079; P = .26). There were 23.8% of children in the severe group and 76.2% in the non-severe group. Urinary tract infection predominated in the severe group (68.7%) and 40.7% with acute febrile syndrome in the non-severe group. The cut-off levels for C-reactive protein, white cells, and neutrophils per mm³, to calculate the fixed and variable indices, only showed negative predictive values of some use for ruling out serious bacterial infection. The ROC curves with white cell and neutrophil counts and C-reactive protein, did not provide andy fixed indices of clinical use. More than one-third (34.6%) of lumbar punctures were traumatic or failures. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, there is an obvious excess of hospital admissions, little usefulness in the examinations to identify serious bacterial infection, a high percentage lumbar punctures traumatic and lumbar punctures failures, and an excess of antibiotic treatments. A review of clinical criteria and procedures is needed.

Cumplimiento y resultados de la aplicación del protocolo de abordaje de la fiebre sin foco en lactantes de 29 a 90 días en el Departamento de Emergencia Pediátrica del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell / Compliance and results of applying a protocol for treatment of fever without a source in infants of 29-90 days of age at the Pediatrics Emergency Unit of the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center

Introducción: el abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico de niños menores de 36 meses con fiebre sin foco (FSF) ha sido motivo de controversias, particularmente en el grupo 29 a 90 días de vida. Objetivos: evaluar el cumplimiento y describir los resultados del nuevo protocolo de abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico en los niños de 29 a 90 días de vida que consultan con FSF en DEP-CHPR. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal, descriptivo retrospectivo, en el que se incluyeron los niños entre 29 y 90 días que consultan con FSF en el DEP-CHPR, entre el 1 de octubre de 2012 y el 30 de setiembre de 2013. Resultados: en el período analizado hubo 134 consultas de niños entre 29 a 90 días de vida por FSF. Cumplieron la pauta 99 (74%). Los diagnósticos al egreso fueron: fiebre sin foco evidente 82 (61%), infección respiratoria aguda viral 23 (17%), meningitis viral y/o encefalitis 11 (8%), infección urinaria 8 (6%), gastroenteritis 4 (3%), meningoencefalitis aséptica 2 (1,5%), otitis media 2 (1,5%), meningoencefalitis aguda supurada 1 (0,75%), exantema viral 1 (0,75%). En los pacientes que presentaron infecciones graves se cumplió la pauta en 20 de 22 pacientes (90%). La principal causa de no cumplimiento fue no realizar los estudios según pauta en 20 (57%). Conclusiones: se detectó un porcentaje aceptable de cumplimiento del nuevo protocolo, la no adherencia estuvo dada fundamentalmente en la no realización de los estudios pautados. El rendimiento en la detección de EBI, infecciones virales graves y bacteriemia fue bueno.

Introduction: diagnostic and therapeutic approach of children younger than 36 months with fever without a source has been controversial, particularly in those between 29 and 90 days of age who consult at the Pediatrics Emergency Unit Emergency Unit of the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center. Method: a transversal, descriptive, retrospective study was conducted, including children between 29 and 90 days who consulted for fever without a source at the Pediatrics Emergency Unit Emergency Unit of the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center between August 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013. Results: during the time of the study, there were 134 children between 29 and 90 days who consulted for fever without a source. Ninety nine of them (47%) meet the requirements. Diagnosis upon release were: fever without evidence of focus 82 (61%), acute viral respiratory infection 23 (17%), viral meningitis and/or encephalitis 11 (8%), urinary tract infection 8 (6%), gastroenteritis 4 (3%), aseptic meningoencephalitis 2 (1.5%), otitis media 2 (1.5%), acute suppurative meningoencephalitis 1 )0.75%), viral exanthema 1 (0.75). When patients presented severe infections the recommendations were followed in 20 out of 22 patients (90%). The main cause for non-fulfilment was failing to ask for exams according to recommendations in 20 (57%).

Infección por Bartonella henselae como presentación de fiebre de origen desconocida en niños peruanos / Infection with bartonella henselae in patients with fever of unknown origin

Objetivo. Describir los casos por infección por Bartonella henselae como presentación de fiebre de origen desconocida (FOD) en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (INSN) de Perú. Material y métodos. Estudio de serie de casos de niños atendidos en el INSN en el año 2012. Se definió infección por B. henselae si el caso presentaba serología positiva. Resultados. En el año 2012 se diagnosticaron 26 casos de FOD, de los cuales 12 fueron por infección por B. henselae. De estos 12, 6 fueron masculinos, con una mediana para la edad de 5 años (RIQ 3,5-4,0); 11 tenían una historia de exposición a gatos; 6 tuvieron lesión lineal ocasionada por el gato. Dentro de los exámenes de laboratorio, 4 de 12 tuvieron leucocitosis; 5 presentaron una PCR mayor de 10. El examen ecográfico reveló que 8 de 12 presentaron lesiones hipoecoicas en bazo; existió coinfección con otras infecciones; 2 casos tuvieron manifestación articular y 1, convulsión. Conclusión. Se concluye que los casos de FOD por infección por B. henselae en niños, están relacionados con exposición a gatos y lesiones hipoecoicas en bazo e hígado, con una evolución de la enfermedad con pronóstico bueno.

Objective. To describe the cases of infection with Bartonella henselae as presentation of fever of unknown origin (FUO) at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) of Peru. Material and Methods. Study of a series of cases of children cared for in the NICH in 2012, infection was defined by B. henselae if presented positive serology. Results. In 2012, 26 cases were diagnosed of FUO of which 12 were due to infection by B. henselae, 06 were male, with a median age of 5 years (IQR 3,5-4,0), 11 of 12 had a history of exposure to cats, 6 of 12 had linear lesion caused by the cat. Within the lab tests 4 out of 12 had leukocytosis, 5 of 12 presented a CRP of greater than 10. The ultrasound examination revealed that 8 out of 12 lesions were hypoechoics in the spleen; there was co-infection with other infections; 02 cases had demonstration articulate and one with seizure. We conclude that the cases of FUO by infection by B. henselae in children are related to school-age, with the exposure of cats and injury hypoechoic in the spleen. Conclusions. We conclude that the cases of FUO by infection by B. henselae in children are related to the exposure of cats and injury hypoechoic in the spleen and liver and good prognosis.

Escala predictiva diagnóstica de infección urinaria en neonatos febriles sin foco aparente / A diagnostic predictive scale for urinary tract infection in febrile infants without an apparent focus

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most frequent bacterial infection in infants with nonspecific clinical manifestations. Objective: To validate a predictive scale for UTI in febrile infants without apparent source and hospitalized in a neonatal unit. Patients and Method: A nested case-control study was conducted on 158 infants with febrile UTI, culture-confirmed, and on 346 febrile infants without apparent focus in whom UTI was ruled out, and also, hospitalized in a neonatal unit. The analysis was performed using Stata® 11. Associations were determined using odds ratio (OR) with 95 percent confidence interval. To find the predictive scale, multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression and establishing major and minor criteria according to regression coefficient. Yield was calculated by sensitivity, specificity and area under ROC curve. The new predictive scale was validated by 108 new febrile neonates. Results: The major criteria to predict UTI were abnormal urinalysis and Gram positive cells without centrifugation, and among the minor criteria, male, age at time of fever, previous neonatal hospitalization, abnormal temperature (38.5°C or more, persistent fever, hypothermia) and 1.7 mg/dL C reactive protein or higher, resulting positive with the presence of one mayor or three minor criteria. It showed good performance with 100% sensitivity (CI 95 percent:98.3-100 percent), 92.3 percent specificity (CI 95 percent: 85.8-98.9 percent) and 0.962 area under ROC (95 percent CI: 0.932-0.991) when validated on 108 new febrile neonates without focus. Conclusions: The new predictive scale allows predicting UTI with good yield in infants with fever without an identified source.

Introducción: La infección de tracto urinario (ITU) es la infección bacteriana más frecuente en neonatos, con manifestaciones clínicas inespecíficas. Objetivo: Validar una Escala Predictiva de ITU en neonatos febriles sin foco aparente, hospitalizados en una unidad neonatal. Pacientes y Método: Estudio caso control anidado en una cohorte, realizado en 158 neonatos febriles con ITU, confirmada por cultivo y 346 neonatos febriles sin foco aparente, en quienes se descartó ITU, hospitalizados en una unidad neonatal. El análisis se realizó con Stata® 11. Las asociaciones se determinaron mediante odds ratio (OR), con su intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento. Para hallar la Escala Predictiva, se realizó análisis multivariado mediante regresión logística, estableciendo criterios mayores y menores de acuerdo al coeficiente de regresión, mientras el rendimiento se determinó con sensibilidad, especificidad y área bajo ROC. La nueva Escala Predictiva se validó con 108 neonatos febriles nuevos. Resultados: Los criterios mayores para la predicción diagnóstica de ITU fueron uroanálisis alterado y Gram de orina sin centrifugar positivo, y los criterios menores, sexo masculino, edad al momento de la fiebre mayor a 7 días, hospitalización neonatal previa, alteración de la temperatura (38,5°C o más, fiebre persistente, hipotermia) y proteína C reactiva 1,7 mg/dL o mayor, siendo positiva con un criterio mayor o tres menores. Esta mostró buen rendimiento con sensibilidad 100 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento: 98,3-100 por ciento), especificidad 92,3 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento: 85,8-98,9 por ciento) y área bajo ROC 0,962 (IC 95 por ciento: 0,932-0,991) cuando se validó en 108 nuevos neonatos febriles sin foco. Conclusiones: La nueva Escala Predictiva permite con buen rendimiento predecir una ITU en neonatos con fiebre sin foco aparente.

Evaluation of young s knowledgeand behavior about dental fluorosis

AIM: This study has evaluated the knowledge about dental fluorosis and the behavior of young people regarding to the use of Fluor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 313 students from High School of Tabatinga/SP, from 15 to 21 years old have answered a questionnaire with pre-encoded questions in which was approached the variables: gender, age, schooling level, dwelling, water consumption, oral hygiene habits, frequency of consults to the dentist and perception about clinical characteristics of fluorosis. Data obtained were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. RESULTS: There was female prevalence (56.0%). Most of respondents (81.0%) answered brushing the teeth 3 times or more a day. About dentifrice use and quantity on the toothbrush, from 97% who has asserted using them, 58% cover all the bristles; 88% of participants know Fluor; however, regarding to its function or effect on the teeth, 17% and 32%, respectively, have not known how to answer. About water consumption, most of them consume from 1 to 2 liters a day, and the main source is the “faucet” (47%). It was observed that 49% of interviewees have visited the surgeon dentist less than one month ago; 93% have answered that the topic application of Fluor was carried out during the dentist consultation, and 32% have asserted that the application was performed in all the visits. Regarding the surface stains on tooth enamel, 59% have reported that they did not notice them; however, 21% have noticed white stains on the enamel. Regarding to the use of tooth paste in the childhood, 52% have reported that they used to ingest it. CONCLUSION: Young s knowledge about function and effect of Fluor on dental structures were mistaken, once the concept of dental cleaning was prevalent about prevention of caries, and the behavior about fluoridated toothpaste was inappropriate because they use it excessively, and they also asserted its ingestion in the childhood.

Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes con diagnóstico de fiebre de origen desconocido hospitalizados en el Servico de Infectología del Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, 2006-2010 / Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with diagnosis of fever of unknown origin hospitalized in the Service of Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Child Health, 2006-2010

Candela Herrera, Jorge Luis Objetivos: Describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes con diagnóstico de Fiebre de Origen Desconocido hospitalizados en el Servicio de Infectología del Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, 2006-2010. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, se incluyeron a todos los pacientes de 1 mes a 17 años, 11meses 29 días con diagnóstico de Fiebre de Origen Desconocido. Resultados: El grupo etáreo más comprometido fue los menores de un año (49 por ciento), en el 40 por ciento de los pacientes la etiología de la FOD no se pudo determinar. En el 51 por ciento de los pacientes la causa fue infecciosa, de este grupo el diagnóstico más común fue la enfermedad por arañazo de gato (8 por ciento) y la infección urinaria (7 por ciento). En el 77 por ciento de los casos la enfermedad se auto limitó o remitió con el tratamiento empírico. Conclusiones: Existió un alto porcentaje de casos en los cuales el diagnóstico no se pudo determinar (40 por ciento), esto reflejaría deficiencias en la complejidad de pruebas de apoyo necesarias para un adecuado diagnóstico en nuestro país. Coincidiendo con la bibliografía internacional las enfermedades infecciosas fueron las causas más comunes de FOD en los niños evaluados.

Objectives: To describe the clinical epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized patients diagnosed with fever of unknown origin at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño Infectious Disease Ward, 2006-2010. Methods: Retrospective study; patients from ages 1 month to 17 years, 11 months and 29 days and diagnosed with fever of unknown origin were included. Results: The largest age group was comprised by those younger than one year of age (49 per cent); in 40 per cent of patients, the etiology of FUO could not be determined. In 51 per cent of patients, the cause was from infectious origin. From this group, the most common diagnosis was cat scratch disease (8 per cent) and urinary tract infection (7 per cent). 77 per cent of cases autolimited or remitted with empirical treatment. Conclusion: There was a high percentage of cases in which a clear diagnosis could not be determined (40 per cent); this reflects the deficiencies in the complexity of auxiliary laboratory tests needed in order to reach an adequate diagnosis in our country. Concurring with the international literature, infectious disease was the most common cause of FUO in children.

Revisando doença de Still do adulto / Reviewing adult-onset Still's disease

A doença de Still do adulto (DSA) é uma doença inflamatória sistêmica rara, de etiologia desconhecida, caracterizada por febre associada a rash maculoso cor de salmão durante os picos febris, podendo apresentar odinofagia, artralgia/artrite, além de hepatoesplenomegalia e linfadenopatia. Laboratorialmente não possui nenhum exame que seja específico desta enfermidade, apresentando elevação dos níveis de PCR, VHS e ferritina, além de leucocitose e elevação de enzimas de dano hepático. Trata-se de um diagnóstico de exclusão, e deve ser lembrado nos casos de febre de origem indeterminada (FOI), propiciando um diagnóstico precoce e evitando gastos desnecessários com exames subsidiários e internações hospitalares prolongadas.

Adult-onset Still's disease is a rare inflammatory systemic condition of unknown aetiology. The main clinical feature is fever accompained by salmon-pink maculous rash that appears along with fever spikes. Other symptoms are odynophagia, arthralgia or arthritis, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and lymphadenopathy. Although there are no specific laboratorial tests to confirm the condition, C-reactive protein, VHS, ferritin, white blood cells count and liver enzymes are usually elevated. Diagnosis is established by exclusion and must be considered in patients presenting with fever of obscure origin. Early identification reduces costs by avoiding unnecessary tests and long hospital admission.

Syndromic surveillance: etiologic study of acute febrile illness in dengue suspicious cases with negative serology. Brazil, Federal District, 2008 / Vigilância sindrômica: estudo etiológico de doenças febris agudas a partir dos casos suspeitos de dengue com sorologia não reagente. Distrito Federal, Brasil, 2008

With the aim of identifying the etiology of acute febrile illness in patients suspected of having dengue, yet with non reagent serum, a descriptive study was conducted with 144 people using secondary serum samples collected during convalescence. The study was conducted between January and May of 2008. All the exams were re-tested for dengue, which was confirmed in 11.8 percent (n = 17); the samples that remained negative for dengue (n = 127) were tested for rubella, with 3.9 percent (n = 5) positive results. Among those non reactive for rubella (n = 122), tests were made for leptospirosis and hantavirus. Positive tests for leptospirosis were 13.9 percent (n = 17) and none for hantavirus. Non reactive results (70.8 percent) were considered as Indefinite Febrile Illness (IFI). Low schooling was statistically associated with dengue, rubella and leptospirosis (p = 0.009), dyspnea was statistically associated with dengue and leptospirosis (p = 0.012), and exanthem/petechia with dengue and rubella (p = 0.001). Among those with leptospirosis, activities in empty or vacant lots showed statistical association with the disease (p = 0.013). Syndromic surveillance was shown to be an important tool in the etiologic identification of IFI in the Federal District of Brazil.

Com o objetivo de identificar a etiologia de doenças febris agudas, em suspeitos de dengue com sorologia não reagente, realizou-se estudo descritivo com 144 pessoas utilizando amostras de soro coletados na convalescença, entre janeiro e março de 2008. Todos os exames foram re-testados para dengue, sendo as amostras negativas, processadas para rubéola (n = 127). Dentre as não reagentes para rubéola, submeteu-se ao teste para leptospirose (n = 122), e em se permanecendo sem diagnóstico, testou-se para hantavirose. Confirmou-se dengue em 11,8 por cento (n = 17), rubéola em 3,9 por cento (n = 5) e leptospirose em 13,9 por cento (n = 17). Os resultados não reagentes foram considerados como doença febril aguda indiferenciada (DFI) em 70.8 por cento dos casos. Verificou-se associação estatística em baixa escolaridade nos casos de dengue, rubéola e leptospirose (p = 0,009), assim como dispnéia para dengue e leptospirose (p = 0,012), e exantema/petéquias para dengue e rubéola (p = 0,001). Dentre os doentes com leptospirose, as atividades em terreno baldio mostraram-se com diferença estatística significante (p = 0,013). A vigilância sindrômica demonstrou-se como importante ferramenta na identificação de doenças febris agudas no Distrito Federal.

Temas de atualização e revisão em Clínica Médica: febres prolongadas de origem obscura: parte 2 / Themes of updating and revision in Medical Clinic: prolonged fever of unknown origin: part 2

Os autores apresentam uma revisão sobre as febres de origem obscura. Discutem inicialmente o seu conceito, restringindo o artigo ao estudo das febres de origem obscura clássica. Em seguida analisam as suas principais causas, dividindo-as em quatro grupos: infecções, neoplasias, doenças inflamatórias não infecciosas e miscelânea. São discutidos os principais exames laboratoriais e procedimentos indicados no seu esclarecimento, propondo uma rotina para os casos sem indícios diagnósticos. Continuam o trabalho revisando as razões citadas para explicar o retardo diagnóstico e descrevem as suas principais formas de evolução. Terminam a revisão listando as provas terapêuticas mais executadas nos pacientes que ao fim da investigação não têm um diagnóstico firmado.

A review on fever of unknown origin (FUO) is presented. After defining its concept, the authors focus on the discussion of the classic FUO. The etiology is analyzed, with the main causes of FUO classified into four groups: infections, malignancies, non-infectious inflammatory diseases and miscellaneous. The main laboratorial tests and diagnostic procedures used to clarify the cause of classic FUO are discussed and an investigation routine for cases with unexplained FUO is proposed. The main causes for diagnosis delay and the outcome of such cases are analyzed. Finally, the authors describe the most frequent empirical therapeutic trials that are employed in patients whose diagnosis remain undefined after appropriate investigation.