title: Fusobacterium infections in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A 2-year-old patient in my practice with acute otitis media that has progressed to mastoiditis with a high fever returns with positive culture results for Fusobacterium What should I do next?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fusobacterium is a genus of anaerobic bacteria. Although Fusobacterium infections are rare, they can become severe if not treated promptly. Appropriate treatment is combination antibiotic therapy consisting of a β-lactam (penicillin, cephalosporin) and an anaerobic antimicrobial agent (metronidazole, clindamycin). At times surgical involvement is required for mastoiditis such as drainage of abscesses or insertion of a ventilation tube. Delayed treatment of an infection caused by Fusobacterium can lead to serious complications, including Lemierre syndrome. Children should be seen in a hospital for close monitoring.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arane
authors.forename: Ran D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Goldman
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005673:Fusobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005674:Fusobacterium Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents