A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ETIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY OF RAT-BITE FEVER

Area of Science:

• Pathology
• Infectious Diseases
• Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

• Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a bacterial zoonotic disease transmitted by rodents.
• Limited postmortem data exists for RBF, hindering a full understanding of its pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze the pathological findings from two reported postmortem examinations of RBF patients.
• To elucidate the systemic effects and organ-specific changes associated with RBF.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on two previously reported RBF cases with postmortem examinations.
• Analysis of macroscopic and histological findings described in the case reports.

Main Results:

• Case 1 (Miura and Toriyama): Macroscopic findings included increased cerebrospinal fluid, meningeal hyperemia, pulmonary edema, and liver cloudy swelling. No histological examination was performed.
• Case 2 (Blake): Anatomical findings revealed ulcerative endocarditis, myocarditis, hepatitis, nephritis, splenic and renal infarcts, and hyperemia. Histology showed cardiac muscle degeneration, necrosis, liver interstitial changes, and kidney infiltration.

Conclusions:

• Rat-bite fever can lead to diverse and severe pathological changes across multiple organ systems.
• Postmortem examinations are crucial for understanding the full spectrum of RBF-induced pathology and guiding clinical management.