-
Rheumatology International Oct 2023Rat bite fever (RBF) is a rare infectious zoonotic disease caused by two bacterial species: the Gram-negative rod Streptobacillus moniliformis and the Gram-negative... (Review)
Review
Rat bite fever (RBF) is a rare infectious zoonotic disease caused by two bacterial species: the Gram-negative rod Streptobacillus moniliformis and the Gram-negative coiled rod Spirillum minus. The association between RBF and skin vasculitis and arthritis has been observed. The aim of this paper was to present a case of rat-bite fever with symptoms of skin vasculitis and arthritis, associated with high titers of ANCA antibodies and anti-endothelial cell antibodies suggestive of primary vasculitis. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, leading to significant improvement. Based on the presented case, we discuss the differential diagnosis of the signs and the role of infection in the induction of ANCA antibodies. We reviewed the English language literature for cases of RBF presenting with symptoms of vasculitis and/or antibody presence. A literature review was performed in PubMed and Google using the keywords "rat bite fever" AND "vasculitis", "systemic vasculitis", "ANCA", "antiendothelial antibodies". No cases of rat-bite fever with the presence of ANCA antibodies or AECA antibodies in its course have been described thus far. Rat bite fever is a rare disease with nonspecific symptoms. In its course, general weakness, intermittent fever, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and arthritis are reported. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ANCA positivity associated with RBF.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Rat-Bite Fever; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Arthritis; Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis
PubMed: 37450033
DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05369-4 -
Cureus Jul 2023Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a rare systemic infectious disease caused by , , or . As the name implies, the disease is typically transmitted by a rat bite. RBF usually...
Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a rare systemic infectious disease caused by , , or . As the name implies, the disease is typically transmitted by a rat bite. RBF usually presents as a combination of fever, arthritis, and rash. Definitive diagnosis of RBF may prove difficult, as the responsible bacteria are not easily identified with standard testing. We describe a case of RBF in a 34-year-old female who presented with fever, chills, polyarthralgia, and skin rash following a rat bite. Initial vital signs were remarkable for fever and tachycardia. Physical examination revealed an erythematous vesicular and papular rash involving her extremities, buttocks, and oral mucosa. Blood cultures were negative. A skin biopsy revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis and was negative for Gram stain. Further analysis using specialized immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified . A diagnosis of RBF was made, and the patient was successfully treated with a two-week course of doxycycline.
PubMed: 37637554
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42453 -
Canada Communicable Disease Report =... Sep 2018Rat bite fever (RBF) is a rare bacterial zoonotic infection caused by and which are found naturally in rodent respiratory tracts. Recently, multiple cases of RBF were...
BACKGROUND
Rat bite fever (RBF) is a rare bacterial zoonotic infection caused by and which are found naturally in rodent respiratory tracts. Recently, multiple cases of RBF were observed on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a case series analysis of cases of RBF on Vancouver Island between 2010 and 2016 to characterize the epidemiology, presentation, microbiology and treatment of RBF.
METHODS
Cases were identified through queries of discharge diagnosis and microbiology laboratory information. Clinical details were collected through review of electronic and paper chart reviews of hospital documentation from Island Health.
RESULTS
Eleven cases of RBF on Vancouver Island were identified between 2010 and 2016. Most cases of RBF were confirmed with identification of by culture or molecular techniques. All cases presented with fever, and a subset had one or more of the following: myalgia, rash, polyarthralgia, joint effusions, and emesis. All cases were successfully treated with penicillin, ceftriaxone or doxycycline. Seven cases required hospitalization, but there were no deaths or significant morbidity.
CONCLUSION
This is the largest single case series of RBF in Canada. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion by clinicians and early intervention is necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality.
PubMed: 31015812
DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v44i09a05 -
Autopsy & Case Reports 2023Endocarditis is a rare, often fatal complication of rat bite fever caused by . Only 39 cases have been reported (including this case) as of 2022. We describe a case and...
INTRODUCTION
Endocarditis is a rare, often fatal complication of rat bite fever caused by . Only 39 cases have been reported (including this case) as of 2022. We describe a case and aim to perform this entit's first systematic literature review.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review in CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SciELO, and LILACS. The terms used were terms used were (but not limited to) rat bite fever, , and endocarditis. We included all abstracts and articles with patients with echocardiographic or histologic-proven endocarditis. In case of discordance, a third reviewer was involved. Our protocol was submitted to PROSPERO (CRD42022334092). We also performed searches for studies on the reference list of included articles.
RESULTS
We retrieved 108 and included 36 abstracts and articles. A total of 39 patients (including our report) were identified. The mean age was 41.27, and 61.5% were males. The most common findings were fever, murmur, arthralgias, fatigue, splenomegaly, and rash. Underlying heart disease was present in 33%. Exposure to rats was noted in 71.8% of patients, with 56.4% recalling a rat bite. Anemia was seen in 57%, leukocytosis in 52%, and elevated inflammatory markers in 58% that had lab work performed. The mitral valve was most affected, followed by the aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves. Surgical intervention was required in 14 (36%) cases. Of those, 10 required valve replacement. Death was reported in 36% of cases. Unfortunately, the literature available is limited to case series and reports.
CONCLUSION
Our review allows clinicians to suspect better, diagnose, and manage Streptobacillary endocarditis.
PubMed: 37101553
DOI: 10.4322/acr.2023.423 -
The Indian Medical Gazette Jan 1954
PubMed: 29015583
DOI: No ID Found -
The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine Jun 2021Rat-bite fever is an over-looked, global zoonotic disease that has a mortality rate of up to 13%, if untreated. Historically, this rat-borne disease has been attributed...
Rat-bite fever is an over-looked, global zoonotic disease that has a mortality rate of up to 13%, if untreated. Historically, this rat-borne disease has been attributed to one of two causative agents, or . Given the confirmed presence of multiple invasive host species, high rat densities in urban, informal human settlements and increasing reports of rat bites in South Africa, we undertook a retrospective assessment of in rats sampled from 16 urban sites, in Gauteng, the smallest but most populous Province in South Africa. Using a multi-gene PCR-sequencing approach, we confirmed presence in 50.9% of oral swabs from three rat species and the presence of two species, and . The two members of the cryptic species complex ( and ), which are morphologically indistinguishable from each other, had markedly different colonization rates. Whereas 48.6% of rats from this species complex were -positive, only 32.3% of were positive compared to 61.5% had an intermediate prevalence of 55.6%. Phylogenetic analysis of four gene regions (16S rRNA, , , ) identified two discrete lineages; occurred exclusively in , and was restricted to the two members of the species complex; this represents the first report of in . These results highlight a largely overlooked zoonotic threat posed by invasive rats and confirm the presence of two discrete and potentially host-specific lineages in South Africa.
Topics: Animals; Introduced Species; Phylogeny; Prevalence; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Rat-Bite Fever; Rats; Retrospective Studies; South Africa; Streptobacillus
PubMed: 34211343
DOI: No ID Found -
The Indian Medical Gazette Sep 1942
PubMed: 29012662
DOI: No ID Found -
The Indian Medical Gazette Apr 1936
PubMed: 29013025
DOI: No ID Found -
The Indian Medical Gazette Jan 1941
PubMed: 29013451
DOI: No ID Found