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Lemierre's and Lemierre's-like syndromes in association with infectious mononucleosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2010

E M Chacko ,
L R Krilov ,
W Patten  and
P J Lee
E M Chacko
Affiliation:
Children's Medical Center, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA
L R Krilov*
Affiliation:
Children's Medical Center, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, State University of New York Stony Brook, New York, USA
W Patten
Affiliation:
Children's Medical Center, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA
P J Lee
Affiliation:
Children's Medical Center, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Leonard R Krilov, Children's Medical Center, Winthrop University Hospital, 120 Mineola Blvd, Ste 210, Mineola, NY 11501, USA. Fax: +1 (516) 663 3793 E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to review cases of Lemierre's and Lemierre's-like syndromes in paediatric patients, to examine a possible association with Epstein–Barr virus as a predisposing factor, and to assess the impact of this virus on the severity of illness.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective analysis of data from the in-patient database at Winthrop University Hospital, from January 2001 to October 2007. We reviewed clinical and laboratory findings as well as the outcome of infection in patients aged 21 years or less with a diagnosis of Lemierre's syndrome. An additional case of Lemierre's-like syndrome was also included. The illness severity and duration of in-patient management of those testing positive for heterophile antibody were then compared with the same parameters in patients who tested negative.

Results:

Of the five patients diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome, two had concomitant acute infection with Epstein–Barr virus. Additionally, a 19-year-old adolescent was admitted during this period with acute infectious mononucleosis, Fusobacterium necrophorum sepsis, sinusitis, frontal lobe abscess and ophthalmic vein thrombosis. The clinical presentation of all patients included fever, sore throat, and ear or neck pain. The duration of symptoms ranged from two days to three weeks prior to admission. The patients with acute Epstein–Barr virus infection had been diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis prior to admission, and tested positive for heterophile antibody. These patients subsequently underwent more extensive in-patient treatment, including intensive care management and ventilator support. The patients who tested negative for heterophile antibody experienced a milder course of illness, with a shorter duration of in-patient management.

Conclusion:

Two patients diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome, and a third with Fusobacterium necrophorum sepsis, had coexisting acute Epstein–Barr virus infection. Patients who tested positive for heterophile antibody experienced a more severe course of illness. These observations suggest a possible association between Epstein–Barr virus infection and the severity of concomitant Lemierre's syndrome.

Keywords

Fusobacterium NecrophorumInfectious MononucleosisLemierre's Syndrome
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 12 , December 2010 , pp. 1257 - 1262
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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