Details:

Alternative Title:
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
Personal Author:
Adam, Jessica K. ; Varan, Aiden K. ; Pong, Alice L. ; McDonald, Eric C.
Adam, Jessica K. ; Varan, Aiden K. ; Pong, Alice L. ; McDonald, Eric C. Less -
Description:
In August 2013, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency was notified of a fatal case of rat-bite fever (RBF) in a previously healthy male, aged 10 years, who owned pet rats. Two days before his death, the patient experienced rigors, fevers, vomiting, headaches, and leg pains. His physician noted a fever of 102.6°F (39.2ºC), documented a normal examination, diagnosed viral gastroenteritis, and prescribed anti-nausea medication. During the next 24 hours, the patient experienced vomiting and persistent fever. He was confused and weak before collapsing at home. Paramedics reported the patient was unresponsive and had dilated pupils; resuscitation was initiated in the field and was continued for >1 hour after arrival at the emergency department but was unsuccessful. A complete blood count performed during resuscitation revealed anemia (hemoglobin 10.0 g/dL [normal = 13.5-18.0 g/dL], thrombocytopenia (platelets 40,000/µL [normal = 140,000-440,000/µL]), leukocytosis (white blood cells 17,900 cells/µL [normal = 4,000-10,500/µL]) with 16% band neutrophils; the patient also had evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. No rash or skin breakdown was noted. Lung, liver, and epiglottis tissue collected postmortem was positive for Streptobacillus moniliformis DNA by polymerase chain reaction.
Subject:
[+]
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Animals
Child
Child, Preschool
Fatal Outcome
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Notes From The Field
Occupational Diseases
Pets
Rat-Bite Fever
Rats
Streptobacillus
Young Adult

Source:
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014; 63(50):1210-1211.
Pubmed ID:
25522092
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC5779525
Document Type:
Journal Article
Place as Subject:
California
Collection(s):
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:60bcead5a83d459fae7a081aef772857288ddd2efc4253dd602307f9d3017007
File Type:

Supporting Files

• 1210-1211.nxml

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