A patient with chronic salicylate intoxication may develop a pseudosepsis syndrome.
Clinical features:
(1) history of chronic salicylate use
(2) fever
(3) leukocytosis with left shift in the differential count
(4) hypotension
(5) multiple organ dysfunction
(6) negative blood and tissue cultures
(7) an elevated serum salicylate level
(8) no other explanation identified
Multiple organ dysfunction may include:
(1) acute respiratory distress syndrome
(2) acute renal failure
(3) acute encephalopathy
(4) DIC
If fever is high, then rhabdomyolysis may occur.
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Purpose: To evaluate a patient with symptoms of sepsis for chronic salicylate intoxication.
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
Objective: clinical diagnosis, including family history for genetics, adverse effects
ICD-10: T39.0,
