Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
13:01
Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells
Published on: June 23, 2014
Polyarteritis nodosa presenting as a pyrexia of unknown origin
J Henderson1, J Cohen, J Jackson
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London. jane@janeyh.supanet.com
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|December 24, 2002
Summary
A rare case of polyarteritis nodosa presented as a multisystem disorder in an 18-year-old woman returning from India. Diagnosis was challenging due to initial symptoms and potential travel-related infections.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic vasculitis affecting medium-sized arteries.
- PAN can present with constitutional symptoms and multisystem involvement.
- Recent travel history, particularly to endemic areas like India, raises suspicion for infectious etiologies.
Observation:
- An 18-year-old woman presented with pyrexia of unknown origin after returning from India.
- Initial constitutional symptoms rapidly evolved into a multisystem disorder.
- The clinical presentation mimicked infectious diseases, complicating the diagnostic process.
Findings:
- The case highlights the diagnostic challenges of polyarteritis nodosa.
- Distinguishing PAN from infections in travelers is crucial.
- Multisystem involvement indicated a severe underlying condition requiring prompt diagnosis.
Implications:
- Early recognition of PAN is vital for timely treatment and improved outcomes.
- Physicians should consider PAN in the differential diagnosis of unexplained fevers and multisystem disease, especially in travelers.
- This case underscores the importance of a thorough diagnostic workup in complex presentations.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Types of Fever
Fever can be triggered by several factors, including infections, nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases like leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
Here are the different types of fever:
Here are the different types of fever:
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
01:27Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:27Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction
Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such as Proteus,...
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...