Lemierre's syndrome: One rare disease—Two case studies. (28th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Le, Christine; Gennaro, Dean; Marshall, Derek; Alaev, Orly; Bryan, Alicia; Gelfman, Aleksandra; Wang, Zhe
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. Volume 44:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2018-11-28
• Subjects: beta‐lactam antibiotic -- jugular -- lemierre's syndrome -- metronidazole -- thrombophlebitis -- thrombosis -- tonsillar; Clinical pharmacology -- Periodicals; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12774
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-4727

Abstract

Summary: What is known and objective: Lemierre's syndrome is often misdiagnosed as a common cold or viral infection. Fusobacterium necrophorum is the most common causative organism. The recommended treatment regimen is 6 weeks of a beta‐lactam antibiotic along with metronidazole. Case description: We present two cases of Lemierre's syndrome with internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis and positive blood cultures for F. necrophorum . The first case was successfully treated with 6 weeks of a beta‐lactam antibiotic and 4 weeks of metronidazole, while the second case was successfully treated with 4 weeks of a beta‐lactam antibiotic and 2 weeks of metronidazole. What is new and conclusion: Two cases of Lemierre's syndrome were treated successfully with only 2‐4 weeks of metronidazole therapy. Shorter duration of metronidazole therapy should be explored in future studies.