title: [Fever of unknown origin--a case report of brucellar discitis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Febrile episodes of unknown origin lasting for two weeks require detailed investigation by various medical specialists. Fever of unknown origin is most commonly caused by infections, malignancy, colagenosis and in 5-10% of cases, despite detailed diagnostic assessmnet, the cause remains unknown. In cases of fever of unknown origin, the diagnostic procedures are difficult and complex.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a case report of brucellar discitis in a female patient treated at the Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases with a diagnosis of fever of unknown origin. Her laboratory findings revealed high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia and high gamma globulin fractions. The patient underwent radiology examination and a suspicion of infection was defined, which was later confirmed by additional tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the fact that the diagnostic investigations of patients with fever of unknown origin are complex and time consuming, detection of the cause is of utmost importance and it is a prerequisite for successful therapy.
authors.affiliation: Klinicki centar Novi Sad, Novi Sad Institut za interne bolesti.
authors.forename: Dusan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tomić
authors.forename: Edita
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stokić
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Turkulov
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ivković-Lazar
mesh_terms: D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015299:Discitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae