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Undifferentiated febrile illnesses in South Sudan: a case series from Operation TRENTON from June to August 2017.

Authors :
Biswas JS
Lentaigne J
Burns DS
Osborne JC
Simpson AJ
Hutley EJ
Hill NE
Bailey MS
Source :
BMJ military health [BMJ Mil Health] 2021 Oct; Vol. 167 (5), pp. 358-361. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Feb 23.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Undifferentiated febrile illnesses present diagnostic and treatment challenges in the Firm Base, let alone in the deployed austere environment. We report a series of 14 cases from Operation TRENTON in South Sudan in 2017 that coincided with the rainy season, increased insect numbers and a Relief in Place. The majority of patients had headaches, myalgia, arthralgia and back pain, as well as leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. No diagnoses could be made in theatre, despite a sophisticated deployed laboratory being available, and further testing in the UK, including next-generation sequencing, was unable to establish an aetiology. Such illnesses are very likely to present in tropical environments, where increasing numbers of military personnel are being deployed, and clinicians must be aware of the non-specific presentation and treatment, as well as the availability of Military Infection Reachback services to assist in the management of these cases.<br />Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2633-3775
Volume :
167
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
BMJ military health
Publication Type :
Editorial & Opinion
Accession number :
32094218
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/jramc-2019-001238