Lemierre syndrome: a pediatric case series and review of literature

An Unusual Cause of Respiratory Distress in a 17-Year-Old Boy

“…Nonetheless, it has been reported that although approximately 80% of cultures grow Fusobacterium necrophorum in LS, 12.8% of reported cases are associated with sterile blood cultures. 2 LS was described by Lemierre 3 in 1936, and the description was based on a series of 20 patients. Lemierre asserted that the syndrome begins as an oropharyngeal infection that results in a septic thrombophlebitis.…”

Internal Jugular Thrombophlebitis Caused by Dermal Infection

“…Lemierre syndrome is mainly caused by tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and is a form of internal jugular thrombophlebitis induced by an anaerobe, mainly F. necrophorum (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). If the correct diagnosis is delayed, Lemierre syndrome may progress to polyinfection, resulting in complications and a high fatality rate (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…The Lemierre syndrome is thought to progress from a primary infection that advances through the tonsillar vein, internal neck lymph system, and pharynx side wall fascia (8,9) to the parapharygeal space and neck carotid sheath, leading to acute jugular thrombophlebitis (5,10). A thrombus in the jugular vein may cause metastatic infection, resulting in serious disease.…”

“…Lemierre syndrome is a form of thrombophlebitis that is now relatively uncommon due to treatment with antibiotics (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). We present the case as an example of a disease mimicking Lemierre syndrome, since it involved jugular thrombosis and accompanying phlebitis with dermal infection.…”

Lemierre’s Syndrome: The Forgotten Disease?

“…Necrophorum has an unusual ability to infect previously healthy children and young adults, unlike other anaerobic bacteria. Over 70% of cases have been documented in young adults between the ages of 16-25 years [21,22]. Although Andre Lemierre reported an equal sex ratio more recent research reports a male preponderance, with a male to female ratio of 2:1 [23,24].…”