| Document ID (ISN) | 103195 |
| CIS number |
04-226 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0271-3586 - American Journal of Industrial Medicine |
| Year |
2004 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Shvartsblat S., Kochie M., Harber P., Howard J. |
| Title |
Fatal rat bite fever in a pet shop employee |
| Bibliographic information |
Apr. 2004, Vol.45, No.4, p.357-360. 5 ref. |
| Abstract |
Rat bite fever is a zoonotic disease that has been described in laboratory personnel as well as the general population. A 24-year-old male pet shop employee contracted the disease through a minor superficial finger wound during a contact with 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. This is the first reported case of rat-bite fever in a pet shop work setting. 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 business such as pet shops. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
occupational accidents; small enterprises; handling of animals; pet shops; fatalities; rat-bite fever |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
influenza; case study; heart valve diseases; symptoms; zoonoses |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | USA |
| Subject(s) |
Commerce, services, offices
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Biological hazards
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Influenza
Zoonoses
Viral diseases (other than aids)
Retail industry
Small and medium-sized enterprises
Livestock rearing
Bacterial and parasitic diseases
|
