Microbiology 10: Pyrexia Of Unkown Origin

Question 1

which 3 components define Pyrexia of unknown origin ?

A) a temperature > 38 degrees C
B) a blood pressure below 80/60
C) duration > 3 weeks
D) no certain diagnosis after 1 week in hospital
E) a temperature > 38.3 degrees C
F) Elevated white cells

Answer 1

C
D
E

Question 2

Which 2 conditions can cause a really high ferritin ?

Answer 2

Adult onset Stills

Macrophage activation syndrome

Question 3

What is a test for latent TB ?

Answer 3

IGRA (interferon-gamma release assay)

Question 4

What is the scoring criteria for infective endocarditis called ?

Answer 4

Duke’s criteria

Question 5

Elderly women presents with jaw claudication, headache and a raised ESR.

What is the most likely diagnosis ?
What is the gold standard diagnostic test ?

Answer 5

Temporal arteritis (GCA)
Temporal artery biopsy

Question 6

A 20 year old male presents with a fever of 39.4 degrees C, arthralgia, salmon pink rash and his blood tests showed very high ferritin.

What is the most likely diagnosis ?

Answer 6

Adult onset Stills disease

Question 7

What is the definiton of PUO?

Answer 7

Fever >38.3ºC on several occasions persisting >3 weeks without diagnosis despite >1 week of intensive investigation