Fatal Rat Bite Fever in A Pet Shop Employee

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 per shop employee contracted the disease through a minor superficial finger wo¿md 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 failue 59 days after initial injury. Results: This is the first reported case of rat-bite fever (RBF) in a per 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 per shops.