Tri Nugraha Susilawati1, William John Hannan McBride2. 1. School of Medicine and Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: tri.susilawati@my.jcu.edu.au. 2. School of Medicine and Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the causes of acute undifferentiated fever (AUF) and to develop a robust definition of undiagnosed undifferentiated fever (UUDF). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of AUF over 3 years (2008-2011) in an Australian tertiary hospital. Request for laboratory investigation of one or more infectious agents was used as the search tool. RESULTS: A total of 340 patients with AUF, aged 15-65 years, were identified over the study period. A final diagnosis was made in 147 (43.2%) patients, dengue fever being the most frequent. The aetiology of fever was not determined in 193 (56.8%) patients. Elevations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and hepatic aminotransferase levels were common in these patients; two patients died. The characteristics of UUDF were fever for ≤21 days and failure to reach a diagnosis after clinical evaluation and specific laboratory investigations. CONCLUSION: The high burden of UUDF argues for a better diagnostic approach to fever that is capable of identifying a broad range of infectious agents.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the causes of acute undifferentiated fever (AUF) and to develop a robust definition of undiagnosed undifferentiated fever (UUDF). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of AUF over 3 years (2008-2011) in an Australian tertiary hospital. Request for laboratory investigation of one or more infectious agents was used as the search tool. RESULTS: A total of 340 patients with AUF, aged 15-65 years, were identified over the study period. A final diagnosis was made in 147 (43.2%) patients, dengue fever being the most frequent. The aetiology of fever was not determined in 193 (56.8%) patients. Elevations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and hepatic aminotransferase levels were common in these patients; two patients died. The characteristics of UUDF were fever for ≤21 days and failure to reach a diagnosis after clinical evaluation and specific laboratory investigations. CONCLUSION: The high burden of UUDF argues for a better diagnostic approach to fever that is capable of identifying a broad range of infectious agents.
Authors: Richard J Bagshaw; Alexandra G A Stewart; Simon Smith; Angus W Carter; Josh Hanson Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2020-09-17 Impact factor: 3.707
Authors: Narayan Gyawali; Andrew W Taylor-Robinson; Richard S Bradbury; Wayne Pederick; Helen M Faddy; John G Aaskov Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2019-12-06 Impact factor: 5.640