Septic Thrombophlebitis Caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum in an Intravenous Drug User

Abstract

Septic thrombophlebitis is characterized by venous thrombosis, inflammation and bacteremia, that can lead to fatal complications such as sepsis, septic emboli and even death. Though most commonly caused by indwelling catheters, it is also related to intravenous drug users (IVDU) especially those who attempt to inject drugs into more proximal and central veins. Lemierre’s syndrome, also referred to as post-anginal sepsis or necrobacillosis, is a suppurative thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. Primary infection is associated with oropharyngeal and dental infections and the most common causative organism is Fusobacterium necrophorum . We report a case of Lemierre’s syndrome in an IVDU, caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum , which was inoculated at the site of injection, without a history of sore throat or pharyngitis.