European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine (Sep 2015)

Hepcidin and Ferritin Levels in Fever of Unknown Origin: Is There a New Biomarker?

  • Ana Lopez Aparicio,
  • Alejandro García-Espona-Pancorbo,
  • Marta Clavero-Olmos,
  • Inmaculada Muñoz-Roldán,
  • Alejandro del Castillo-Rueda

DOI
https://doi.org/10.12890/2015_000240
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 6

Abstract

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Background and objectives: Significantly elevated serum ferritin levels are associated with both iron overload and some inflammatory conditions. Hepcidin is a protein that interferes with iron absorption in inflammatory states and acts as an acute-phase reactant. Materials and methods: Here we report the case a 33-year-old patient who presented with high fever, skin lesions and arthralgia lasting for 2 weeks. His ferritin level was 13,800 µg/l and his hepcidin level was 61 ng/dl. Results: The final diagnosis was adult onset Still's disease. The condition evolved satisfactorily with steroid treatment, but after several weeks the patient presented with an unexpected recurrence. Conclusions: Hepcidin is a good inflammatory marker that could be useful in the differential diagnosis of hyperferritinaemia.

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