RAT BITE FEVER

Rat-bite fever is a rare, systemic illness, so it is not something that will be a great risk to the pet rat owners. From reports, it appears that the fatality rate is 7-10% in untreated patients – early appropriate therapy is usually successful. However, it can be a problem, particularly following a bite – so it is something that the rat enthusiast should keep in mind if they develop an unknown infection. The best thing to do is just take normal hygiene precautions (hand washing, gloves while cleaning cages, treating bites appropriately). This will protect you for RBF and other more common zoonotic diseases.

PATHOGENICITY: Abrupt onset of fever, chills, vomiting, headache and severe pains in the joints; a maculopapular, petichial, or purulent rash develops within the first 48 hours and involves the palms, soles and extremities; acute arthritis is a characteristic and persistent symptom occurring in 50% of cases, relapses may occur; endocarditis, pericarditis, tenosynovitis and focal abscesses are typical in the severe form of the disease

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; uncommon in North and South America and most European countries; cases in USA were mostly due to exposure to laboratory rats

HOST RANGE: Humans, rats, mice, weasels, dogs, cats, squirrels, weasels, gerbils

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By direct contact with secretions of the mouth, nose, eye of an infected animal; animal bite; consumption of contaminated food or water

INCUBATION PERIOD: Usually 3-10 days

COMMUNICABILITY: Not directly transmitted from person-to-person

Rat-bite fever is caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, an organism found in the upper respiratory tracts of rats. Symptoms include fever, rash, vomiting and muscle aches.

Although usually curable with intravenous doses of penicillin or oral antibiotics, the disease has a 7 percent to 10 percent case fatality rate when prompt medical treatment is not sought.

It is not necessary to be bitten or scratched by a rat to contract the disease. People who have ingested rat urine or droppings while cleaning rodent cages or eating contaminated food also can become infected.

The CDC urged people to wear gloves, wash their hands frequently and avoid hand-to-mouth contact when handling rats or cleaning rat cages. Anyone bitten by a rat should clean and disinfect the wound and seek medical treatment.

In a separate but related study, the Atlanta-based CDC advised doctors and public health officials to be aware that pet hamsters could be spreading tularemia, a potentially fatal bacterial infection that is difficult to diagnose.