Abstract:

We report herein a case of a 20-year-old previously healthy man who presented, 25 days after the onset of clinically and serologically confirmed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis, Fusobacterium necrophorum septicemia. The diagnosis of postanginal septicemia was confirmed by repeated demonstration of fusiform, obligate anaerobic, Gram-negative bacilli in anaerobic blood cultures, identified as F. necrophorum 15 days after admission. This case report aims at underlining the need of taking into consideration the possibility of severe Fusobacterium septicemia in previously healthy patients following EBV infectious mononucleosis in order to prevent increased mortality and morbidity.