Group B Streptococcus Infection Presenting as Ludwig's Angina Beyond Infancy

Ahmed Al Jabery , Salwa Al Kaa

Abstract

Ludwig’s angina is a serious and rapidly progressive cellulitis of the floor of the mouth which involves the submandibular, sub-maxillary, and sublingual spaces of the face. It uncommonly occurs in adults and children and its early recognition is paramount. With early diagnosis, airway observation and management, aggressive intravenous antibiotic therapy, and judicious surgical intervention, this disease should resolve without any complications. Here we report a case of an immunocompetent adolescent who developed Ludwig’s Angina due to Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection who was successfully treated with surgical intervention and antibiotics therapy. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of GBS infection beyond infancy presenting as Ludwig’s Angina in an immunocompetent adolescent. There are other reported cases in the literature of GBS infection presenting beyond infancy but none of the cases presented with Ludwig’s Angina.