Steve Shvartsblat1, Mary Kochie, Philip Harber, John Howard. 1. Department of Family Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA. stevesmdmph@hotmail.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rat bite fever is a zoonotic disease that has been described in laboratory personnel as well as the general population. METHODS: A 24-year-old male pet shop employee contracted the disease through a minor superficial finger wound on a contaminated rat cage. The disease progressed from a flu-like illness to endocarditis involving first the aortic valve and then the mitral valve and septum. Despite aggressive therapy including two surgical procedures, the patient died from sepsis and multi-organ system failure 59 days after initial injury. RESULTS: This is the first reported case of rat-bite fever (RBF) in a pet shop work setting. CONCLUSIONS: Zoonotic infections may present a significant hazard to workers handling animals. Education on hazards of animal contact and other preventive measures are needed in small places of business like pet shops. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
BACKGROUND:Ratbite fever is a zoonotic disease that has been described in laboratory personnel as well as the general population. METHODS: A 24-year-old male pet shop employee contracted the disease through a minor superficial finger wound on a contaminated rat cage. The disease progressed from a flu-like illness to endocarditis involving first the aortic valve and then the mitral valve and septum. Despite aggressive therapy including two surgical procedures, the patient died from sepsis and multi-organ system failure 59 days after initial injury. RESULTS: This is the first reported case of rat-bite fever (RBF) in a pet shop work setting. CONCLUSIONS:Zoonotic infections may present a significant hazard to workers handling animals. Education on hazards of animal contact and other preventive measures are needed in small places of business like pet shops. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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