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Fatal rat-bite fever--Florida and Washington, 2003

    MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
    |January 7, 2005
    PubMed

    Insights

    Rat-bite fever (RBF), caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, is a serious illness with a high fatality rate. Early diagnosis and prevention are crucial, especially for those with rat exposure.

    Area of Science:

    • Infectious Diseases
    • Zoonotic Infections
    • Microbiology

    Background:

    • Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a rare systemic illness caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, a bacterium commonly found in rats.
    • Untreated RBF has a significant case-fatality rate of 7%-10%.

    Observation:

    • This report details two rapidly fatal cases of RBF identified by the CDC.
    • Cases involved abrupt onset of fever, myalgias, arthralgias, vomiting, headache, and rash within 2-10 days of exposure.

    Findings:

    • Streptobacillus moniliformis infection can lead to rapid and fatal outcomes.
    • Human transmission occurs through bites, scratches, handling infected rats, or consuming contaminated food/water.

    Implications:

    • RBF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acutely ill patients with a history of rat exposure.
    • Preventing zoonotic infections is vital for individuals with occupational or recreational contact with rats.

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