Published in:
01-03-2005 | Concise Article
Molecular diagnosis of Fusobacterium necrophorum infection (Lemierre’s syndrome)
Published in: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases | Issue 3/2005
Login to get accessAbstract
Presented here is the case of a 27-year-old male with atypical features of Lemierre’s syndrome in which a definitive diagnosis was achieved using molecular methods. While routine investigations, including bacterial cultures, were unhelpful, two real-time PCR assays demonstrated Fusobacterium necrophorum-specific DNA in aspirates from brain and renal abscesses. This is the first report demonstrating that a laboratory diagnosis can be made using molecular methods in suspected cases of Lemierre’s syndrome. Use of these methods can thus resolve diagnostic confusion, prevent unnecessary investigation, and direct specific antimicrobial treatment.