Tuberculosis as the cause of fever of unknown origin: A review

AbstractAll reported series of fever of unknown origin were reviewed to determine the frequency of tuberculosis as the final diagnosis in this syndrome. Thirty-seven series from 1930 to 1995 were identified, comprising 3056 patients. Tuberculosis accounted for 7.9% of all diagnoses. Although methods of diagnoses changed over the period reviewed, rates of tuberculosis were relatively stable. Of 1366 patients with specific information regarding site of tuberculosis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis accounted for 4.8% of all cases and pulmonary tuberculosis 2.3% Tuberculosis continues to be the final diagnosis in a significant proportion of patients with fever of unknown origin. Consideration should be given to empirical antituberculous therapy in persons with fever of unknown origin and a thorough but unrevealing workup