[Rat bite fever in a three-year-old child]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2017 Aug 14;179(33):V04170335.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Rat bite fever (RBF) is rare in Denmark. It can be very difficult to diagnose, as the causative agent is an extremely fastidious organism which needs microaerophilic conditions to grow. We report a case of arthritis in the right ankle due to Streptobacillus moniliformis in a three-year-old girl who fully recovered after 14-day treatment of intravenous administrated penicillin followed by four weeks of orally administrated amoxicillin. Social history revealed the presence of two domestic rats living in the child's home. As rodents are becoming more popular as pets, RBF must be considered in patients with a history of relevant exposure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Moniliformis / isolation & purification
  • Rat-Bite Fever / diagnosis*
  • Rat-Bite Fever / drug therapy
  • Rat-Bite Fever / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents