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Is there a link between rheumatoid factors and typhoid fever? A report on three consecutive cases and literature

Ching-Huei Yang1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taipei Branch, Taipei, Taiwan. frankchy@tzuchi.com.tw

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|December 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Rheumatoid factors, often linked to rheumatoid disorders, can also appear during infections like typhoid fever. This study found one patient with high rheumatoid factors during typhoid, suggesting a controversial but potential connection.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Immunology

Background:

  • Rheumatoid factors (RFs) are typically associated with rheumatoid disorders.
  • The association between RFs and infections, particularly typhoid fever, is rarely documented.
  • Understanding RFs in non-rheumatoid conditions is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Observation:

  • This report details three consecutive patients diagnosed with typhoid fever.
  • One patient presented with exceptionally high levels of rheumatoid factors.
  • The other two typhoid fever patients tested negative for rheumatoid factors.

Findings:

  • The presence of rheumatoid factors in typhoid fever cases is infrequent.
  • Extremely high RF levels in one patient suggest potential clinical significance.
  • The findings highlight the complex and debated relationship between RFs and typhoid fever.

Implications:

  • The study contributes to the ongoing debate regarding the link between rheumatoid factors and typhoid fever.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role and significance of RFs in infectious diseases.
  • Clinicians should consider the possibility of RFs in patients with typhoid fever, albeit rarely.

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