Non-Infectious Fever Associated with Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Fever is often treated with antibiotics, but non-infectious causes are frequently overlooked.
• Absorption fever is a rare, under-recognized cause of fever in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Early identification of absorption fever is crucial to avoid unnecessary antibiotic exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight absorption fever as a non-infectious cause of fever in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
• To emphasize the importance of differentiating absorption fever from infectious causes.
• To promote appropriate management and antimicrobial stewardship.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 61-year-old male with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and fever.
• Clinical evaluation including laboratory tests, computed tomography, and upper endoscopy.
• Exclusion of infectious sources and observation of spontaneous fever resolution.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and fever.
• Diagnostic workup ruled out infectious or malignant etiologies.
• Fever resolved spontaneously, consistent with absorption fever, without antibiotic intervention.

Conclusions:

• Absorption fever is a transient, non-infectious fever linked to gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Clinical vigilance is essential to distinguish absorption fever from infection in febrile patients with GI bleeding.
• Recognizing absorption fever aids in preventing unnecessary antibiotic use and supports antimicrobial stewardship.