Dogs and cats and their fleas can become infected as can grain beetles. Again, infestation is often asymptomatic in man, but may present with diarrhoea, abdominal pain and anal itch. Bacteria Rat-bite fever, which has many synonyms, among them Haverhill Fever, may be caused by either Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus . It presents with fever, arthropathy, a maculopapular rash and, occasionally, endocarditis. Spirillum infection also tends to feature ulceration at the bite site with enlargement of the draining nodes.
Treatment is with penicillin.
Rickettsial Pox, also known as Kew Gardens Spotted Fever - rather oddly as the disease does not occur in the UK, is transmitted by the mite liponyssoides sangineus which is common to both rats and mice. The disease occurs in Russia, the USA and Africa. About 10-24 days after a bite, fever occurs and an eschar develops at the site and the draining nodes enlarge. Over the next 1-4 days, a vesicular rash develops. Diagnosis is by serology and treatment is with tetracycline.