[Life-threatening appendicitis caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2014 Dec 15;176(25A):V08120489.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Fusobacterium necrophorum is a well-known cause of Lemierre's syndrome. Recent studies suggest a causative association between F. necrophorum and acute appendicitis. We present a case of a 15-year-old previously healthy girl who presented with acute non-perforated appendicitis, intra-abdominal abscesses and thrombosis that led to omental necrosis. This resulted in a life-threatening septic shock with the need for prolonged intensive care. We suggest that F. necrophorum identified in pus from the abdomen caused this fulminant variation of appendicitis with findings similar to those seen with Lemierre's syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Abscess / microbiology
  • Abdominal Abscess / therapy
  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Appendicitis / microbiology*
  • Appendicitis / surgery
  • Critical Illness
  • Female
  • Fusobacterium Infections / complications*
  • Fusobacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Fusobacterium necrophorum / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Necrosis / microbiology
  • Necrosis / surgery
  • Omentum / microbiology
  • Omentum / pathology
  • Omentum / surgery
  • Shock, Septic / microbiology
  • Shock, Septic / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents