necrophorum

Necrophorum refers to Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram-negative, obligate anaerobe and non-spore-forming rod in Fusobacteriaceae. It is part of the normal human oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal flora and can act as an opportunistic pathogen when mucosal barriers are breached.

In humans, it is associated with severe oropharyngeal infections and Lemierre's syndrome, a septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein with metastatic spread, usually to the lungs. It can also cause cervicofacial cellulitis, peritonsillar or retropharyngeal abscesses, and, less often, liver abscesses or septicemia. In cattle and other animals, it causes necrobacillosis and liver abscesses.

Virulence factors include leukotoxins, endotoxin, proteases, and adhesion molecules that promote tissue invasion and immune evasion. It often participates in mixed anaerobic infections.

Diagnosis relies on anaerobic culture and identification by methods such as MALDI-TOF. Treatment typically uses metronidazole or a beta-lactamase–inhibitor combination (for example, amoxicillin-clavulanate); clindamycin is an alternative in some settings. Severe infections may require drainage of abscesses.

Taxonomy: the species was once named Bacteroides necrophorus and was later reclassified as Fusobacterium necrophorum. It is a notable veterinary pathogen in ruminants as well as a human pathogen.