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rat-bite diseaserat-bite fever
either of two distinct diseases transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected rat or occasionally some other mammal. The
type usually seen in North America is the bacillary or streptobacillary form, caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis. The type most often seen in East Asia and nearby islands is the spirillary form and is caused by Spirillum minus.Haverhill fever is a condition similar to the bacillary form but contracted by ingestion of contaminated raw milk, water, or food. In the
bacillary form, after a rat bite the site at first seems to heal but around a week later develops a fluid-filled sore. High
fever alternates with periods of normal temperature; there is swelling of regional lymph nodes, as well as a red, inflamed eruption, swelling and pain in the joints, adenitis, headache, and vomiting. There may be back pain, and a spotty, measles-like skin rash. In the spirillary form, the original bite heals, but between 5 and 28 days later the site becomes swollen
and purplish. There is usually no joint inflammation and the rash is patchy rather than spotty. Otherwise the symptoms are
similar to those of the bacillary form.
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