<unk>  is an acute, febrile human illness caused by bacteria transmitted by rodents,<unk> s in most cases. Two types of gram-negative facultatively anaerobic bacteria can cause the infection, which is passed from rodent to human via the rodent's urine or mucous secretions.Rat-bite fever (RBF) is an infectious disease caused by two different organisms, Streptobacillus moniliformis and Spirillum minus. In the United States,<unk>  is primarily due to infection with S. moniliformis. Spirillum minus causes<unk>  cases in countries such as Asia and Africa. S. moniliformis and S. minus are part of the normal respiratory flora of<unk> s. Both organisms may be transmitted to humans through<unk> <unk> s or scratches. Infection can also result from handling an infected<unk> , with no reported<unk>  or scratch. Infection with S. moniliformis can also occur through ingestion of food or drink contaminated with<unk>  excrement (Haverhill fever). Other rodents (e.g. mice, gerbils) may also be reservoirs. Person-to-person transmission has not been reported.<unk>  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.
The Streptobacillosis form of<unk>  is known by the alternate names Haverhill Fever and epidemic arthritic erythema. It is a severe disease caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis , transmitted either by<unk> <unk>  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 a 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.
The treatment is with penicillin or tetracycline.
Rat-bite fever
Lábrea fever
Cotton fever
Boutonneuse fever
Trench fever
Blackwater fever
Cat scratch fever
Rabies