<i>Fusobacterium</i>-Positive and Streptococcal-Positive Pharyngitis
Authors: Jan Matthys, Marc De Meyere, An De Sutter
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2015)

Letters16 June 2015Fusobacterium-Positive and Streptococcal-Positive PharyngitisJan Matthys, MD, Marc De Meyere, MD, and An De Sutter, MDJan Matthys, MDFrom University Hospital Gent, Gent, Belgium.Search for more papers by this author, Marc De Meyere, MDFrom University Hospital Gent, Gent, Belgium.Search for more papers by this author, and An De Sutter, MDFrom University Hospital Gent, Gent, Belgium.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L15-5099 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:We thank Centor and colleagues (1) for their interesting and important new data on causes of pharyngitis. As authors of the Belgian guideline on acute sore throat (2), we agree with Linder's editorial (3), which argues that these new findings on Fusobacterium necrophorum do not necessitate reconsideration in U.S. guidelines.Centor and colleagues' proposition implies more testing and more antibiotics but is not evidence-based. Even a positive culture for F. necrophorum is not definitive proof of infection, and arguments are lacking that treating infection with this organism with antibiotics decreases symptoms or prevents the Lemierre syndrome (3). ...References1. Centor RM, Atkinson TP, Ratliff AE, Xiao L, Crabb DM, Estrada CA, et al. The clinical presentation of Fusobacterium-positive and streptococcal-positive pharyngitis in a university health clinic: a cross-sectional study. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:241-7. [PMID: 25686164] doi:10.7326/M14-1305 LinkGoogle Scholar2. Matthys J, De Meyere M, van Driel ML, De Sutter A. Differences among international pharyngitis guidelines: not just academic. Ann Fam Med. 2007;5:436-43. [PMID: 17893386] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Linder JA. Sore throat: avoid overcomplicating the uncomplicated [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:311-2. [PMID: 25686170] doi:10.7326/M14-2899 LinkGoogle Scholar4. Barnett ML, Linder JA. Antibiotic prescribing to adults with sore throat in the United States, 1997-2010. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174:138-40. [PMID: 24091806] doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.11673 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University Hospital Gent, Gent, Belgium.Disclosures: Authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOf InterestForms.do?msNum=L15-0188. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoThe Clinical Presentation of Fusobacterium-Positive and Streptococcal-Positive Pharyngitis in a University Health Clinic Robert M. Centor , T. Prescott Atkinson , Amy E. Ratliff , Li Xiao , Donna M. Crabb , Carlos A. Estrada , Michael B. Faircloth , Lisa Oestreich , Jeremy Hatchett , Walid Khalife , and Ken B. Waites The Clinical Presentation of Fusobacterium-Positive and Streptococcal-Positive Pharyngitis in a University Health Clinic Robert M. Centor , T. Prescott Atkinson , Amy E. Ratliff , Li Xiao , Donna M. Crabb , Carlos A. Estrada , Michael B. Faircloth , Lisa Oestreich , Jeremy Hatchett , Walid Khalife , and Ken B. Waites Fusobacterium-Positive and Streptococcal-Positive Pharyngitis James R. Uhl , Daniel R. Gustafson , Stefanea L. Rucinski , and Robin Patel Fusobacterium-Positive and Streptococcal-Positive Pharyngitis Robert M. Centor , T. Prescott Atkinson , and Ken B. Waites Fusobacterium-Positive and Streptococcal-Positive Pharyngitis Robert M. Centor , T. Prescott Atkinson , and Ken B. Waites Fusobacterium-Positive and Streptococcal-Positive Pharyngitis James R. Uhl , Daniel R. Gustafson , Stefanea L. Rucinski , and Robin Patel Metrics Cited ByThe long shadow of Lemierre’s syndromeAppropriate Antibiotic Use for Acute Respiratory Tract Infection in AdultsJan Matthys, MD 16 June 2015Volume 162, Issue 12Page: 876KeywordsAntibioticsConflicts of interestDecision makingDisclosureFusobacterium necrophorumMedical risk factorsPeritonsillar abscessesPharyngitisStreptococcal infectionsStreptococcus ePublished: 16 June 2015 Issue Published: 16 June 2015 CopyrightCopyright © 2015 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...