Work

Lemierre's Syndrome Caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae : Case Report and Review of the Literature

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae is an uncommon but increasingly recognized cause of Lemierre's syndrome, a condition classically associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum . This report describes a 32‐year‐old woman with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented with a progressive odontogenic infection complicated by internal jugular vein thrombosis and cavitary septic pulmonary emboli. Imaging demonstrated a deep neck abscess with adjacent thrombophlebitis, and cultures from surgical drainage yielded K. pneumoniae with a wild‐type susceptibility profile. The patient required invasive mechanical ventilation, broad‐spectrum antibiotics, surgical source control, and therapeutic anticoagulation, resulting in complete clinical recovery. A review of published cases from 1996 to 2025 was performed, highlighting diabetes as the predominant risk factor, odontogenic or oropharyngeal disease as the most common source, and septic pulmonary emboli as a hallmark manifestation. This case represents the second documented instance of K. pneumoniae –associated Lemierre's syndrome in Nicaragua and reinforces the need for early imaging, prompt surgical management, and targeted antimicrobial therapy in diabetic patients presenting with deep neck infections.

Source: Clinical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.72003

Authors: Abril Aguilar Guerrero, Eduardo Porras Rosales

Institution: Ministerio de Salud

Language: English

Topic: Otolaryngology and Infectious Diseases

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,820