Fulminant septicaemia due to Streptococcus milleri infection in a previously healthy adult.

A 59-year-old previously healthy female developed purulent pharyngitis leading rapidly to neck cellulitis, septicaemic shock and fatal cardiac arrest despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Streptococcus milleri was isolated from a submandibular abscess, cellulitic neck tissue and blood cultures. Fulminant septicaemia due to this group of organisms is relatively uncommon and usually occurs in the immunocompromised or otherwise chronically unwell.