Great saphenous vein suppurative thrombophlebitis due to Fusobacterium necrophorum infection

Abstract

Fusobacterium necrophorum (F. necrophorum) is an anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium which does not form spores. F. necrophorum is usually associated with Lemierre's syndrome. The syndrome is characterized by thrombosis of the internal jugular vein with septicemia followed by oropharyngeal infection. In the present case report, a 27-year-old male with a significant medical history of intravenous drug use was presented in the emergency department. The patient presented a 3-day history of left lower extremity pain, redness, and swelling. His serological tests were positive for hepatitis C infection. The Duplex ultrasound (US) of the left lower extremity revealed extensive suppurative thrombophlebitis. The blood culture grew F. necrophorum, thus the patient was treated with IV ampicillin for 2 weeks, followed by additional 2 weeks of oral amoxicillin. At follow-up, 3 weeks later, the patient reported significant improvement in his symptoms. Three months later, lower extremity duplex in the US revealed resolving suppurative thrombophlebitis.

Keywords

• fusobacterium necrophorum
• great saphenous veins septic thrombophlebitis