Lemierre's syndrome due to Fusobacterium necrophorum.
We present a case of a patient with Lemierre's syndrome caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum who developed a right frontal lobe brain abscess. We summarise the epidemiology, microbiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, complications, therapy, and outcomes of Lemierre's syndrome. F necrophorum is most commonly associated with Lemierre's syndrome: a septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. Patients usually present with an exudative tonsillitis, sore throat, dysphagia, and unilateral neck pain. Diagnosis of septic thrombophlebitis is best confirmed by obtaining a CT scan of the neck with contrast. Complications of the disease include bacteraemia with septic abscesses to the lungs, joints, liver, peritoneum, kidneys, and brain. Treatment should include a prolonged course of intravenous beta-lactam antibiotic plus metronidazole.
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Division of Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103-8208, USA. kkuppalli@ucsd.edu
Krutika
K
Kuppalli
Daniel
D
Livorsi
Naasha J
NJ
Talati
Melissa
M
Osborn
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005675:Fusobacterium necrophorum; D006801:Humans; D057831:Lemierre Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000150:complications
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents