Lemierre's syndrome with spondylitis and pulmonary and gluteal abscesses associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

Abstract

Lemierre's syndrome, a systemic anaerobic infection caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, is characterized by an acute oropharyngeal infection, septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular veins, sepsis, and multiple metastatic infections. It commonly leads to pulmonary parenchymal abscesses and occasionally to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, or liver or spleen abscesses. Reported here is a case of spondylitis and pulmonary and gluteal abscesses that occurred as part of a classic presentation of Lemierre's syndrome. Treatment with imipenem and clindamycin was successful.