Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
07:47

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

[Fever caused by penicillin. Description of a clinical case]

E Baratta1, L Biscarini

  • 1Università degli Studi di Perugia, Istituto di Clinica Medica I.

La Clinica Terapeutica
|February 15, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Drug-induced fever occurred in a scleroderma patient treated with penicillamine, a rare side effect. This fever resolved upon drug discontinuation, indicating a direct link and a lower incidence than previously reported.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting connective tissue.
  • Penicillamine is a chelating agent used in treating scleroderma and other conditions.
  • Drug-induced fever is a known, albeit uncommon, adverse reaction to various medications.

Observation:

  • A case of scleroderma is presented where the patient developed significant fever.
  • The fever recurred upon re-administration of penicillamine, suggesting a causal relationship.
  • The patient's fever was severe enough to warrant drug withdrawal.

Findings:

  • Drug-provoked fever is a potential adverse effect of penicillamine in scleroderma patients.
  • The incidence of this side effect appears to be lower than previously suggested by some research.
  • Withdrawal of penicillamine led to the resolution of the fever in this case.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should be vigilant for drug-induced fever in scleroderma patients on penicillamine.
  • This finding may prompt a re-evaluation of the true frequency of penicillamine-induced fever.
  • Further research is warranted to accurately determine the incidence of this adverse event.

More Related Videos

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling08:25

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling

Published on: April 7, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis 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...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute 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,...
Production of Antibiotics01:27

Production of Antibiotics

Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...