STREPTOBACILLUS MONILIFORMIS INFECTION COMPLICATED BY ACUTE BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS

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Abstract
THE PURPOSE of this report is to record the case of a physician who was infected with Streptobacillus moniliformis following the bite of a laboratory rat. This is an unusual circumstance, since most laboratory rat bites are believed to be harmless. The present case was further complicated by the occurrence of bacterial endocarditis; however, the patient recovered. REPORT OF CASE On the morning of May 18, 1952, G. G., a 54-year-old physician, was helping a colleague inject insulin into diabetic rats. Suddenly one of the rats twisted and bit him on the left thumb over the knuckle, making two breaks in the skin. Gentle bleeding occurred. He washed his hands with soap and water and applied a bandage. Since he had been bitten by laboratory rats before, he dismissed the episode from his mind. The next afternoon he was given a typhoid vaccine "booster" injection in preparation for a trip