Rat-bite fever

Rat-bite fever is an acute, febrile illness of humans caused by bacteria carried by rodents and passed on through a bite or through the urine or mucous secretions of an infected animal. It is also known as streptobacillary fever, streptobacillosis, spirillary fever, bogger and epidemic arthritic erythema. It is a rare disease with two causes: Streptobacillus moniliformis, the only bacterium reported to cause it in North America, and Spirillum minus, which is common in Asia and causes the form known as sodoku, with most cases in Japan. Most cases follow a bite, but infection can also come through food or water contaminated with rat feces or urine. Other animals, including weasels, gerbils and squirrels, can carry the disease, and so can household pets exposed to them. This record is descriptive and is not medical advice.