Published: 2015-06-10 years Updated: 2021-08-16
Author: Thomas C. Weiss | Contact: Disabled-World.com
Peer-reviewed publications: N / A
Move in: Main announcement | Publications
Summary: Rat-bite fever is an acute human febrile illness caused by bacteria transmitted from rodents, rats or mice, in most cases, transmitted from rodents to humans through urine or substances. mucus secretions of rodents. The primary wound from a rat bite usually heals quickly, but after an incubation period of 1-22 days (usually less than 10 days), a virus-like syndrome develops rapidly, causing fever, chills, and headache. , vomiting and joint and back pain. The diagnosis is confirmed by culturing the organism from the joint fluid or the person’s blood. Measurable agglutinations develop during the second or third week and are important from a diagnostic perspective if the titer increases.
advertisement
Main announcement
Rat-bite fever is an acute, human febrile illness caused by bacteria transmitted from rodents, rats or mice in most cases, which are transmitted from rodents to humans through urine. or rodent mucus. Alternative names for rat-bite fever include streptococcal fever, streptococcal disease, spirochete fever, sodoku disease, and synovitis. Most cases occur in Japan, but specific strains of the disease are found in the United States, Europe, Australia and Africa. Diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by culture and sometimes increased antibody titres. RBF is treated with doxycycline or penicillin.
Rat-bite fever is transmitted to humans in about 10% of rat bites. There may also be; however, there is no history of rat bites. Rat bite fever (RBF) is most commonly caused by rat bites, but can be caused by the bite of any rodent or predator.
- Rats are often a source of disease. Other animals that can cause this infection include: Spiders, Squirrels, Rats, Cats, and Ferrets.
- Most people get rat-bite fever when they come into contact with urine or fluids from the mouth, eyes, or nose of an infected animal. This most commonly occurs through a bite, however in some cases it can occur simply through contact with these liquids.
- After the fever starts, a red, rough rash may appear on the hands and feet. The joints may become swollen, red, and painful.
Both spirochetes and streptococci mainly affect people living in crowded cities, as well as biomedical laboratory workers. In the Americas and Europe, rat-bite fever is usually caused by streptobacillus moniliformus, while in Asia it is usually caused by spirochetes.
Fever caused by rat bites, streptococcus bacteria
The rat-bite form of streptococcal fever is caused by a diverse gram-negative bacillus, an organism present in healthy rats. Epidemics have been linked to the ingestion of unpasteurized milk contaminated with streptococci or ‘Haverhill fever’, although infection is often caused by wild or rat bites. Other types of rodents, as well as ferrets, are also involved.
A person’s primary wound from a rat bite usually heals quickly, but after an incubation period of 1-22 days (usually less than 10 days), a rapidly developing virus-like syndrome causes fever, chills, aches and pains. headache, vomiting, and joint and back pain. Most people affected by RBF develop a purpura, spotty, or blister-like rash on their feet and hands about three days later. Polyarthritis pain or arthritis, which usually affects large asymmetrical joints, develops in many people within a week and, if left untreated, can persist for days or even months.
RBF-related fever can return, occurring irregularly over a period of weeks to months. Bacterial endocarditis and abscesses in a person’s brain or other tissues are serious, but rare. Some people with pericardial effusion develop an infection and infection of the amniotic fluid. Haverhill fever is similar to rat bite fever, although vomiting and pharyngitis are more prominent.
The diagnosis is confirmed by culturing the organism from the joint fluid or the person’s blood. Measurable agglutinations develop during the second or third week and are important from a diagnostic perspective if the titer increases. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or PCR tests may be helpful. The person’s white blood cell count is between 6,000-30,000 uL. Syphilis serological tests may come back as false positives. The rat-bite streptococcal febrile form can often be clinically distinguished from the spirochete.
Treatment of this rat-bite fever includes administration of amoxicillin 1 g orally, procaine penicillin G 600,000 units IM every 12 hours, or penicillin V 500 mg orally for 7 to 10 days. Erythromycin 500 milligrams can be used for people who are allergic to penicillin. Doxycycline 100 milligrams every 12 hours for 14 days is an alternative form of treatment.
Rat bite fever, spiral form
Infection with S. Except acquired when bitten by a rat, or sometimes – by a rat. Ingesting non-pathogenic organisms. The patient’s wound usually heals quickly, although inflammation recurs at the bite site after 4-28 days (usually less than 10 days), accompanied by regional lymphadenitis and recurrent fever. Occasional erythematous-urticaria rash is less prominent than streptococcal rash. Systemic symptoms are often accompanied by fever, although arthritis is rare. In untreated individuals, febrile cycles of 2-4 days usually recur in 4-8 weeks, however episodes of fever rarely recur for less than a year.
Diagnosis is made through direct imaging or cultures of spirillum from blood smears, or tissue from the person’s lymph nodes or lesions, or by Giemsa staining or dark field examination of blood from mice that have been implanted. The white blood cell count is in the 5,000-30,000 uL range. The results of the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) are false-positive in about 50% of those affected. The disease can easily be confused with Borrelia recurrentis infection or malaria, both of which are characterized by recurrent fever.
Risk factors for rat-bite fever
The fact of the matter is, anyone exposed to the bacteria that causes rat-bite fever is at risk of contracting the disease. There are some people who may be at increased risk. These people include people who:
- Living in buildings infested by rats
- There are pet rats living in their house
- Work with mice in the lab or in the pet store
Prevention of fever caused by rat bites
People can do a number of different things to prevent rat-bite fever. A person can protect themselves from RBF by:
- Drink water and pasteurized milk from safe sources
- Avoid contact with rodents or places where rodents may be present
- Avoid drinking water or milk that may come into contact with rodents
People cleaning barns or handling rodents should wear protective gloves, avoid touching their mouths with their hands, and practice frequent hand washing.
Fever due to rat bite
In the United States, rat-bite fever is rare. Exact incidence data are not available because the disease may not be reported to state health departments. Since rat-bite fever is not a nationally common disease, there is no trend in incidence in the US. Recent incidence reports have highlighted the potential risk for rat-bite fever in people exposed to rodents at work or in their own homes.
Author credentials:
Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses for a Master’s, Bachelor’s and two Associate’s degrees, as well as studying Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant, Thomas has supported people of many racial, religious, gender, class and age groups by providing care to people with all forms of disabilities. disability from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson’s; paralysis and quadriplegia for spina bifida.
Disability World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their families and/or carers. . Check out our homepage for helpful news, reviews, sports, stories and guides. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more about Disability World on our about us page.
advertisement
Disability World provides general information only. The documents presented are never meant to be a substitute for the professional medical care of a qualified physician, and they should not be construed as such. Financial assistance is obtained from advertisements or referral programs, if specified. Any 3rd party offers or advertisements do not constitute an endorsement.
• Citation of this Page (APA): Thomas C. Weiss. (2015, June 10). Rat Bite Fever: Overview and General Information. The world of people with disabilities. Accessed October 24, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/health/rat-bite.php
• Permalinks: Rat Bite Fever: Overview and General Information
