Group A Streptococcus Necrotizing Lymphadenitis: A Case Report

Necrotizing lymphadenitis (NL) is a rare entity that can occur as a complication of bacterial cervical lymphadenitis (CL) and is characterized by unilateral or bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. NL most commonly presents in females and most reports have been in Japan. In this case, we present a 37-year-old male with no significant past medical history who presented with an unusual presentation and clinical course of NL. Initial workup for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and other infectious etiology was negative. Yet, aspiration later revealed Group A Streptococcus. When the patient's pain and swelling did not subside with the initial antibiotic and supportive treatment, the patient underwent a repeat aspiration and biopsy that revealed a necrotic mass or lymph node. NL is uncommon and rarely due to infectious etiology. However, this marks a case in which a Group A Streptococcus was shown to be associated with subsequent necrotic lymph nodes and should allow practitioners to further consider an infectious etiology in the differential diagnosis of NL.