Spontaneous rat bite fever in non-human primates: a review of two cases.
Rat bite fever is a worldwide zoonotic, non-reportable disease. This entity encompasses similar, yet distinct, disease syndromes caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus. Naturally occurring rat bite fever has not been previously described in non-human primates. This report describes two cases of non-human primate rat bite fever caused by S. moniliformis; a rhesus macaque (Macaca mullata) with valvular endocarditis, and a titi monkey (Callicebus sp.) with septic arthritis. Potential sources of infection included direct contact, and ingestion of surface water or feed contaminated with rodent feces.
Valverde
C R
CR
Department of Surgery and Radiology Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. crvalverde@ucdavis.edu
Lowenstine
L J
LJ
Young
C E
CE
Tarara
R P
RP
Roberts
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011906:Rat-Bite Fever / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013288:Streptobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification*