Published in:
01-10-2010 | Correspondence
Lemierre syndrome caused by co-infection by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum and Fusobacterium necrophorum
Authors:
K. Lundblom, K. Jung, M. Kalin
Published in:
Infection
|
Issue 5/2010
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Excerpt
In 1936, Lemierre described a series of cases with anaerobic sepsis following primary oropharyngeal infection. These ‘postanginal septicemias’, subsequently denoted ‘Lemierre syndrome’ or ‘Lemierre’s disease’, were characterized by septic thrombophlebitis of the jugular venous system and multiple metastatic abscesses which were most commonly found in the lungs. The syndrome had a high case-fatality rate and affected mainly young adults [
1]. Although polymicrobial infections have been reported, the main pathogen in Lemierre syndrome is
Fusobacterium necrophorum, an obligate anaerobic, Gram-negative rod [
2]. Disseminated infections are rare. The highest incidence occurs in the age group 15–24 years [
3]. …
