[Post-angina septicemia caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum in a 7-year-old child]

A fusobacterium necrophorum septicemia due to a neglected peritonsillar abscess is reported in a 7 year-old boy with no significant past medical history. Osteo-articulary, hepatic and pleuro-pulmonary septic localizations, with an otherwise favourable outcome left severe orthopedic sequelae in the right hip. This resembles the post-peritonsillar abscess septicemia described by Lemierre in 1936 which was due to an anaerobic bacillus (fusobacterium). The reappearance of this pathology should lead to systematic anaerobic blood and abscess studies. Penicillin G and Metronidazole are still efficient in controlling this organism.