Rat-Bite Fever
Description of the disease
Rat-bite fever is an infectious disease caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus. These bacteria are transmitted through rat bites or by consuming food contaminated with rat excrement.
Streptobacillary rat-bite fever is typically characterized by fever, muscle pain, and a non-specific skin rash. In spirillary rat-bite fever, the original bite mark may initially heal and disappear, but after several weeks, inflammation at the bite site, fever, and a generalized rash may develop.
Both forms of rat-bite fever are rare diseases.
Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology