Lemierre’s syndrome: The “forgotten disease” that should not be forgotten

Abstract

Introduction: Lemierre’s syndrome (LS) is often misdiagnosed as a common cold or viral infection. It is characterized by sepsis often evolving after a sore throat or tonsillitis and then complicated by various septic emboli and thrombosis of the internal jugular vein. Fusobacterium necrophorum is the most common causative organism. The recommended management is antibiotic treatment. Case Report: We present a case of LS with positive blood cultures for F. necrophorum and pulmonary septic emboli without internal jugular vein thrombosis. The patient was successfully treated with prolonged antibiotic management. Conclusion: Once observed, LS is unlikely to be forgotten by the spectator. Early antibiotic initiation of septic young patients with tonsillitis or neck infections is essential.