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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
08:23
Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
Rat-bite fever: a cautionary tale.
Renukadas Sakalkale1, Chris Mansell, Deborah Whalley
1Department of Medicine, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton.
The New Zealand Medical Journal
|May 23, 2007
Summary
This report details the first case of streptobacillary rat-bite fever in New Zealand. A young man developed sepsis after a rat bite, with blood cultures confirming Streptobacillus moniliformis infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rat-bite fever is a zoonotic illness caused by bacteria transmitted through rat bites or scratches.
- Streptobacillus moniliformis is a common cause of rat-bite fever, particularly in urban environments.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications.
Observation:
- A young male patient presented with symptoms of systemic sepsis, including high fever and hypotension.
- Physical examination revealed tender axillary lymphadenopathy.
- The patient reported a rat bite incident approximately one week prior to admission.
Findings:
- Blood cultures were positive for Streptobacillus moniliformis.
- This confirmed the diagnosis of streptobacillary rat-bite fever.
- This is the first reported case in New Zealand.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering rat-bite fever in patients with sepsis and a history of rodent exposure.
- Underscores the need for increased awareness and diagnostic vigilance for this rare infection in New Zealand.
- Emphasizes the potential public health risk associated with rodent-borne diseases.
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