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American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(3), 84-87
DOI: 10.12691/AJPHR-11-3-1
Original Research

Rat Bite Fever: An Infectious Under Reported Bacterial Zoonotic Disease

Mahendra Pal1, and Kirubel Paulos Gutama2

1Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, Bharuch, Gujarat, India

2Adaba Woreda Agriculture Office, Oromia, Ethiopia

Pub. Date: March 27, 2023
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Cite this paper

Mahendra Pal and Kirubel Paulos Gutama. Rat Bite Fever: An Infectious Under Reported Bacterial Zoonotic Disease. American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023; 11(3):84-87. doi: 10.12691/AJPHR-11-3-1

Abstract

Rat bite fever is a potential emerging disease caused with one of two different types of bacteria: Streptobacillus Species and Spirillum minus. These bacteria are found in the mouth, nose and respiratory tract of rodents (especially rats). After handling rodents that harbor these bacteria, humans may acquire an infection, especially if they are bitten or scratched. Other close encounters with rodents, such as kissing or sharing food with one, might also result in infection. Another type of rat bite fever known as Haverhill fever can be contracted by consuming food or drink that has been contaminated with the causing bacterium. The first case of rat bite fever is in the US that was recorded in 1839. The disease occurs in both sexes, all age groups and in immunocompetent and immunocomromised individuals. In carrier rats, there are typically no clinical symptoms; opportunistic pulmonary infections or abscesses are sporadically observed. The initial symptoms of infection in humans can include headache, fever, and nausea. On the hands and feet, a red, bumpy rash that is not irritating may appear after two to four days. In comparison to typical rat bite fever, Haverhill fever frequently results in severe nausea and vomiting, and the patient may also experience sore throat. The patient with endocarditits have poor prognosis. The most effective way to diagnose rat bite fever is to isolate the pathogen in tissue or blood samples. Unfortunately, these bacteria, especially S. minus, can be exceedingly challenging to culture. Although not widely available, a PCR test to identify bacterial DNA would be very helpful. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are used to treat the initial infection in cases of rat bite fever that have been proven or are highly suspected. If treatment is initiated before complications develop, it is frequently highly effective. Avoiding contact with rats is the best approach to prevent rat bite fever.

Keywords

rat, rat bite fever, Spirillum minus, Streptobacillus Species, Zoonoses

Copyright

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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