Fusobacterium

Microbiology

• Long, thin Gram-negative bacillus within the family Fusobacteriaceae
• Obligate anaerobe
• Includes the followed species of medical importance:
  • Fusobacterium necrophorum
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum

Clinical Manifestations

• 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