Definition:
Lemierre's syndrome is a rare bacterial disease that usually targets young adults. It brings about an inflammation of the internal jugular vein. A blood clot also develops in the said area during the onset of the disease. It was first described by Andre Lemierre in 1936, and the disease has produced about 160 cases for the past 100 years.
Diagnosis:
Patients diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome are as well observed with abscesses in the vital organs such as the lungs, brain and kidneys, especially when the disease is already at the advanced stage.
Treatment:
Lemierre's syndrome can be easily cured by the use of antibiotics. Common medications used to treat the disease include Beta-lactam antibiotics, metronidazole, third generation cephalosporins and clindamycin.
Symptoms and Signs:
Among the symptoms of Lemierre's syndrome are fever, sore throat and lethargy. The patient also loses his general strength and suffers from swollen lymph nodes in the cervix.
Causes:
The disease is caused by a the bacterial strain known as Fusobacterium necrophorum, which can be found in oropharyngeal flora.
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