Lemierre's and Lemierre's-like syndromes in association with infectious mononucleosis.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to review cases of Lemierre's and Lemierre's-like syndromes in paediatric patients, to examine a possible association with Epstein-Barr virus as a predisposing factor, and to assess the impact of this virus on the severity of illness.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective analysis of data from the in-patient database at Winthrop University Hospital, from January 2001 to October 2007. We reviewed clinical and laboratory findings as well as the outcome of infection in patients aged 21 years or less with a diagnosis of Lemierre's syndrome. An additional case of Lemierre's-like syndrome was also included. The illness severity and duration of in-patient management of those testing positive for heterophile antibody were then compared with the same parameters in patients who tested negative.


RESULTS
Of the five patients diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome, two had concomitant acute infection with Epstein-Barr virus. Additionally, a 19-year-old adolescent was admitted during this period with acute infectious mononucleosis, Fusobacterium necrophorum sepsis, sinusitis, frontal lobe abscess and ophthalmic vein thrombosis. The clinical presentation of all patients included fever, sore throat, and ear or neck pain. The duration of symptoms ranged from two days to three weeks prior to admission. The patients with acute Epstein-Barr virus infection had been diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis prior to admission, and tested positive for heterophile antibody. These patients subsequently underwent more extensive in-patient treatment, including intensive care management and ventilator support. The patients who tested negative for heterophile antibody experienced a milder course of illness, with a shorter duration of in-patient management.


CONCLUSIONS
Two patients diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome, and a third with Fusobacterium necrophorum sepsis, had coexisting acute Epstein-Barr virus infection. Patients who tested positive for heterophile antibody experienced a more severe course of illness. These observations suggest a possible association between Epstein-Barr virus infection and the severity of concomitant Lemierre's syndrome.
Chacko
E M
EM
Children's Medical Center, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
Krilov
L R
LR
Patten
W
W
Lee
P J
PJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005674:Fusobacterium Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D057831:Lemierre Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile