Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42005145›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: A Rare Cause of Fever and Generalized Lymphadenopathy.

Eihab A Subahi, Mahmoud Osman, Elmunzer A Ibrahim, Ammar Musa, Abdalla Fadul, Bara Wazwaz, Ijaz Kamal

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Eihab A SubahiInternal Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, USA.
Mahmoud OsmanInternal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QAT.
Elmunzer A IbrahimInternal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QAT.
Ammar MusaInternal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QAT.
Abdalla FadulGeriatrics and Long-Term Care/Internal Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, QAT.
Bara WazwazPathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QAT.
Ijaz KamalInternal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QAT.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), recognized as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is an uncommon, non-threatening, and self-resolving condition mainly seen in young adults. It frequently appears with cervical lymphadenopathy and fever, often resembling infectious, autoimmune, or malignant disorders like lymphoma. KFD poses a diagnostic challenge because of its nonspecific clinical and radiological characteristics, potentially resulting in unwarranted tests and intense treatments. We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient who presented with a 12-day history of ongoing high-grade fever, along with vomiting and a dry cough. Preliminary laboratory tests indicated leukopenia and increased inflammatory markers, whereas imaging examinations ruled out acute abdominal issues. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, daily fever spikes continued, leading to a comprehensive investigation for pyrexia of unknown origin. Tests for infectious origins, such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, malaria, and viral factors, were negative. Computed tomography of the chest showed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy, while neck ultrasound identified several bilateral cervical lymph nodes, with some exhibiting loss of fatty hilum. Excisional biopsy of cervical lymph nodes revealed geographic necrosis with karyorrhectic debris, paracortical enlargement, and lack of neutrophilic infiltration, indicative of necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry ruled out cancer, and a diagnosis of KFD was made. The patient showed improvement with supportive care and was released with follow-up appointments in outpatient rheumatology. The follow-up autoimmune evaluation yielded negative results. Thus, KFD should be taken into account in young individuals showing unexplained fever and lymphadenopathy once infectious and malignant reasons have been ruled out. The definitive diagnosis depends on excisional biopsy of lymph nodes and histopathological analysis. Identifying this entity is essential to prevent misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatment, and patient distress. Due to its link to systemic lupus erythematosus, prolonged monitoring is advised. KFD is a significant differential diagnosis for pyrexia of unknown origin accompanied by lymphadenopathy. Timely histopathological verification guarantees suitable treatment and avoids unnecessary procedures.

Indexed as

differential for fever of unknown originkikuchi-fujimoto's disease (kfd)necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitisrare cause of diffuse lymphadenopathyunexplained fever and lymphadenopathy

Identifiers

PMID42005145
PMCPMC13089664

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.