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 pet shop employee contracted the disease through a minor superficial finger wound 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 failure 59 days after initial injury. Results This is the first reported case of rat‐bite fever (RBF) in a pet 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 pet shops. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:357–360, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.