Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 clone as a cause of Lemierre's syndrome

J Clin Microbiol. 2011 May;49(5):2063-6. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02507-10. Epub 2011 Mar 23.

Abstract

We describe a case of a young woman who had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 clone (MRSA-USA300)-associated Lemierre's syndrome and secondary necrotizing pneumonia and cerebral infarcts. We also review 11 cases of S. aureus-associated Lemierre's syndrome reported in the literature from 1965 to 2010. Recognition of S. aureus as an emergent cause of Lemierre's syndrome informs the initial empirical antibiotic choice for this life-threatening condition and may positively impact patient outcomes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Typing Techniques
  • Cerebral Infarction / complications
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Infarction / microbiology
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Lemierre Syndrome / complications*
  • Lemierre Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Lemierre Syndrome / microbiology
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / classification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Molecular Typing
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / complications
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Young Adult