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Updated: Jul 23, 2026
08:23
Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
Rat-bite fever (Streptobacillus moniliformis): a potential emerging disease
1State of California, Department of Health Services, Microbial Diseases Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94704, USA.
Summary
Human infections from Streptobacillus moniliformis, causing rat-bite fever (RBF), are increasingly identified. Physicians should consider RBF in patients with fever, rash, and rodent exposure.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Zoonotic Diseases
Background:
- Human infections with Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever (RBF), are zoonotic.
- Increasing human exposure to zoonotic diseases is linked to environmental changes and animal interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of human infections caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis in California over three decades.
- To analyze the characteristics of S. moniliformis isolates from human sources.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of S. moniliformis cultures identified by the Microbial Diseases Laboratory (MDL) from 1970 to 1998.
- Review of isolate data, including source, patient demographics, and suspected diagnosis.
Main Results:
- 45 S. moniliformis isolates were analyzed; 91% were from human sources.
- 58% of isolates were received since 1990, with 50% from patients 9 years or younger.
- Rat-bite fever (RBF) was suspected in 75% of diagnosed human infections, often linked to rat bites or rodent exposure (83%).
Conclusions:
- Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a recognizable and treatable zoonotic disease.
- Physicians should consider RBF in patients presenting with fever, rash, and a history of rat exposure.
- Environmental factors may increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
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