Glossary of Medical and Health Terms

Rat-Bite Fever

Rat-bite fever is an acute, febrile human illness caused by bacteria transmitted by rodents, rats in most cases, which is passed from rodent to human via the rodent's urine or mucous secretions.

Spirillosis

Rat-bite fever transmitted by the gram-negative spirochaete Spirillum minus is more rare, and is found most often in Asia. In Japan the disease is called Sodoku. Symptoms do not manifest for two to four weeks after exposure to the organism, and the wound through which it entered exhibits slow healing and marked inflammation. The fever lasts longer and is recurring, for months in some cases. Joint pain and gastrointestinal symptoms are less severe or are absent. Penicillin is the most common treatment.

Streptobacillosis

The Streptobacillosis form of rat-bite fever is known by the alternate names Haverhill Fever and epidemic arthritic erythema. This is a severe disease caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, transmitted either by a rat bite or ingestion of contaminated products (Haverhill fever). After a incubation period of around 10 days, Haverhill fever begins with high prostrating fevers, rigors, headache and polyarthralgia. Soon an exanthem appears, either maculopapular or petechial and arthritis of large joints can be seen. The organism can be cultivated in blood or articular fluid. The disease can be fatal if untreataed in 10% of cases due to malignant endocarditis, meningoencephalitis or septic shock. Treatment is with penicillin or tetracycline.

Associated ICD-10 codes: A25.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat-bite_fever

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