Rat bites may be associated with a wide range of infections.
Infections (rat bite fevers) that may be associated with rat bites or excreta:
(1) leptospirosis
(2) Haverhill fever associated with Streptobacillus moniliformis (which can result in an endocarditis, septic arthritis and other complications; formely Actinomyces muris-ratti)
(3) sodoku associated with Spirillum minus
(4) rabies
(5) tetanus
(6) Salmonella and other enteric bacteria (from sewers)
(7) nonfermenting Gram negative bacteria (from environmental water)
(8) Gram-positive organisms (Corynebacterium kutscheri, Actinomyces species, other)
Additional infections transmitted by fleas on the rat:
(1) murine typhus
(2) plague (Yersinia pestis)
Other complications:
(1) anaphylaxis related to antigens in rat saliva
(2) trichinosis (if rats are eaten)
Management may include:
(1) prophylaxis against rabies and tetanus
(2) broad spectrum antibiotics
(3) wound cultures
(4) blood and other cultures if the patient develops a fever
