Fever of unknown origin in a Swiss-born child: don't miss tuberculosis!
Tuberculosis incidence is low in Switzer land. We report here on a Swiss-born toddler. Tuberculosis manifested with a fever of unknown origin, mimicking an inflammatory or autoimmune disorder triggering a high dose of corticosteroid treatment. The disease went unrecognized for several weeks until development of a miliary tuberculosis with advanced central nervous system involvement. This case highlights the difficulties encountered in diagnosing tuberculosis and in identifying the origin of this case. It reminds us that this disease must never be forgotten when facing a child with persistent fever who must be screened for, before starting immunosuppressive therapy.
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit;
Melanie
M
Cegielski
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit;
Bernard
B
Vaudaux
Institute of Microbiology;
Katia
K
Jaton
Department of Neurosurgery;
David
D
Bervini
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital and University of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
Marie-Helene
MH
Perez
Swiss; fever; tuberculosis.