A rare cause of vertebral osteomyelitis: the first case report of rat-bite fever in Portugal

• Autor(es): Pena,Eduarda ; Jordão,Sofia ; Simões,Maria João ; Oleastro,Mónica ; Neves,Isabel
• Data: 2020
• Origem: Oasisbr
• Assunto(s): Rat-bite fever; Osteomyelitis; Streptobacillus moniliformis
• Tipo de Documento: Relatório
• Idioma: Inglês

Descrição

Abstract Rat-bite fever is a rarely diagnosed illness caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis . Although this disease is distributed worldwide, there have been few cases reported in Europe. Here, we report a case of vertebral osteomyelitis and sternoclavicular septic arthritis caused by S. moniliformis in a Portuguese patient previously bitten by a rat. Laboratory diagnosis was performed using molecular identification. This is the first case report of rat-bite fever in Portugal. The case described here serves as a reminder for physicians to consider this diagnosis in patients who have developed fever syndromes after being in contact with rodents.