Lemierre syndrome from a neck abscess due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Braz. j. infect. dis
;
17(4): 507-509, July-Aug. 2013. ilus
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-683143
ABSTRACT
Lemierre syndrome is characterized by acute septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) that develops after an oropharyngeal infection, and can be complicated by septic emboli to lungs and other organs. The most frequent causative agent is Fusobacterium necrophorum, an anaerobic bacillus found in normal oropharyngeal flora. Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a cause of Lemierre syndrome in the last decade. We report a case of a 24-year-old man who developed septic IJV thrombosis and necrotizing pneumonia due to S. aureus from an infected hematoma in the right sternocleidomastoid muscle. Antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy with few cases needing anticoagulation. A good outcome is dependent upon an awareness of the condition, a high index of suspicion, and prompt initiation of antibiotic therapy. Recognition of S. aureus as a cause of Lemierre syndrome can guide the choice of initial antibiotics to cover this virulent pathogen.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Staphylococcal Infections
/
Abscess
/
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
/
Lemierre Syndrome
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. infect. dis
Journal subject:
Communicable Diseases
Year:
2013
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Institution/Affiliation country:
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/US
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