Abstract

Rat bite fever is a respiratory disease caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis that is characterised by fever, rigours, and polyarthralgias. It has a ten percent mortality rate if left untreated. Unfortunately, because of its nonspecific initial appearance and difficulty in culturing its causative organism, there is a substantial chance of diagnosis delay or failure. The rising popularity of rats and other rodents as pets, along with the threat of invasive or lethal disease, necessitates a greater focus on rat bite fever as a possible diagnosis. The clinical and biological characteristics of rat bite fever and Streptobacillus moniliformis are discussed, as well as some identifying characteristics to aid clinicians and microbiologists in diagnosis.

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