Health Encyclopedia

Rat-bite fever

Definition

Rat-bite fever is an infectious disease spread by fluids in the mouth or nose or urine of an infected rodent.

Alternative Names

Streptobacillary fever; Streptobacillosis; Haverhill fever; Epidemic arthritic erythema; Spirillary fever; Sodoku

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Rat-bite fever can be caused by two different organisms, Actinobacillus muris (formerly called Streptobacillus moniliformis) and Spirillum minus. Most reported cases of rat-bite fever occur in Japan, but the disease has also been seen in Australia, Africa, North and South America, and Europe.

Most people get rat-bite fever through contact with urine or oral (mouth) or conjunctival (eye or nose) secretions from an infected animal. This most commonly occurs via a bite, yet some cases may occur simply through contact with these secretions. The source of the infection is usually a rat, but other animals such as squirrels, weasels, and gerbils, may be the source.

In rat-bite fever due to Actinobacillus muris, fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain usually occur within 10 days of exposure. This is followed within three days by a diffuse rash, primarily in the extremities. One or several large joints may become swollen, red, and painful. If untreated, severe complications including infection of the heart valves may occur.

The illness caused by Spirillum minus is common in Asia, particularly Japan, where it is called sodoku. In this form of rat-bite fever, a particular skin rash characterized by red or purple plaques is frequently seen, and the previously healed wound at the site of the bite may reactivate and open. Joint involvement is rare.

Symptoms

Fever
Chills
Headache
Muscle aches
Rash -- may be red/purple plaques in sodoku
Arthritis (singe or multiple large joints) -- less common in sodoku
Open sore at the site of initial bite in sodoku

Signs and tests

Diagnosis is made by detection of the organism in skin, blood, joint fluid, or lymph nodes. Blood antibody tests may also be used.

Treatment

Rat-bite fever is usually treated with antibiotic therapy. Your health care provider may prescribe penicillin or tetracyclines for 7-10 days.

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis is excellent with early treatment.

Complications

Pericarditis
Endocarditis
Parotitis (inflammation of the parotid glands)
Inflammation of the tendons (tenosynovitis)
Abscesses of the brain or soft tissue

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you or your child has had recent contact with a rat or other rodents, particularly if the person was bitten or has symptoms of rat-bite fever.

Prevention

Avoiding contact with rats or rat-contaminated dwellings may help prevent rat-bite fever. Taking antibiotics by mouth after a rat bite may also help prevent this illness.

Review Date:11/27/2006
Reviewed By:D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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