Lemierre syndrome caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum: a case report and review of the literature / 中华内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To emphasize the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of Lemierre syndrome caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum.Method A case of Lemierre syndrome caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum and three similar reported cases were reviewed.Results A man complained of fever with a sore throat,and examination found an enlarged left tonsil with prominent exudate,normal blood routine test and chest radiograph.Although the patient received the treatment of penicillin G and azithromycin,his condition worsened.Blood test showed white blood cell count 13.59 × 109/L (neutrophils 0.933),platelet count 7.4 × 109/L,TBil 54.3 mmol/L,DBil 28.3 mmol/L,AST 127 IU/L,ALT 82 IU/L,serum albumin 19.3 g/L with the development of the conditions.Blood cultures grew Arcanobacterium haemolyticum and the piperacillin-tazobactam was administered until fever was controlled.In addition,anticoagulation was administered when the thrombus was confirmed in the left internal jugular vein.Two follow-up clinic visits over the following 4 months were unremarkable.Besides three similar cases reported,four patients were male,and the ages ranged from 19 to 54 years.The chief complaints were sore throat and fever (4/4),with neck pain (4/4).Physical examinations found pharyngitis (2/4),exudate or abscess in the tonsillar crypt (2/4),maculopapular rashes (2/4).Laboratory results showed leukocytosis and thrombocytopaenia (4/4),acute cholestatic liver dysfunction (3/4),acute renal failure (2/4),acute respiratory failure (1/4).The first chest radiographs were normal at the onset,but chest radiography features included peripheral nodules and cavitation (3/4),focal or wedge-shaped lesions (1/4),pleural effusion (1/4) with the development of the conditions.Blood culture proved that there was only growth of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum (2/4),both Fusobacterium necrophorum and Arcanobacterium haemolyticum were found (2/4).Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or piperacillin/tazobactam was administered (4/4).Neck CT proved internal jugular vein thrombosis (3/4) and anticoagulation was administered (3/4).All patients recovered and no one died.Conclusions The characters of Lemierre syndrome include primary oropharynx infection,septicaemia,septic or embolic phlebitis of jugular vein,and metastatic abscess.Early recognition and aggressive intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics are critical to reduce mortality.