Fusobacterium species

Microbiology

• Obligate anaerobe
• Long, thin Gram-negative bacillus

Clinical Presentation

• Causes 10% of acute pharyngitis in ages 15-30, as many as Group A Strep
• Pharyngitis may be complicated by Lemierre syndrome, a septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein

Diagnosis

• Not detectable on routine throat culture, because it's anaerobe

Management

• Sometimes need to add metronidazole despite appropriate empiric antimicrobials