What diseases can be transmitted from rats? - briefly
Rats transmit several zoonotic pathogens, notably leptospirosis, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, plague, salmonellosis, and rat‑bite fever. Infection spreads via bites, contact with contaminated urine or feces, or inhalation of aerosolized particles.
What diseases can be transmitted from rats? - in detail
Rats serve as reservoirs for a wide range of pathogens that can be transmitted to humans through direct contact, bites, scratches, contaminated food, water, or aerosolized particles. The most clinically significant agents include:
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Leptospira interrogans (leptospirosis). Exposure occurs when skin or mucous membranes contact urine‑contaminated water or soil. Early symptoms comprise high fever, chills, muscle pain, and headache; severe cases progress to renal failure, jaundice, or hemorrhagic pulmonary syndrome. Prompt antibiotic therapy, typically doxycycline or penicillin, reduces mortality.
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Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta introduces the virus. Incubation averages two weeks; patients develop fever, myalgia, and gastrointestinal upset, followed by rapid onset of respiratory distress and pulmonary edema. Mortality rates reach 30‑40 %. No specific antiviral exists; supportive intensive care is critical.
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Yersinia pestis (plague). Flea bites or direct handling of infected rodents transmit the bacterium. Bubonic plague presents with painful swollen lymph nodes, fever, and chills; septicemic and pneumonic forms cause systemic shock or severe respiratory disease, respectively. Early administration of streptomycin or gentamicin is essential for survival.
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Streptobacillus moniliformis and Spirillum minus (rat‑bite fever). Bite or scratch wounds introduce these bacteria. Clinical picture includes abrupt fever, rash, polyarthralgia, and vomiting. Penicillin G or doxycycline effectively treats the infection.
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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Transmission occurs via inhalation of contaminated dust or direct contact with rodent secretions. The virus often causes a mild febrile illness, but can progress to meningitis, encephalitis, or severe congenital infection if a pregnant woman is exposed. No approved antiviral therapy; management is supportive.
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Salmonella spp. (salmonellosis). Consumption of food contaminated by rat feces introduces the bacteria. Symptoms range from gastroenteritis with diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever to invasive bloodstream infection in immunocompromised hosts. Rehydration and, when indicated, fluoroquinolone or third‑generation cephalosporin therapy are standard.
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Rickettsia typhi (murine typhus). Flea feces deposited on skin or mucous membranes transmit the organism. Patients develop fever, headache, rash, and occasionally severe hepatitis or encephalitis. Doxycycline remains the treatment of choice.
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Baylisascaris procyonis (baylisascariasis). Ingestion of embryonated eggs from rodent feces causes visceral, ocular, or neural larval migration. Early neurological signs include eosinophilic meningitis, ataxia, and visual disturbances. Albendazole combined with corticosteroids may limit damage.
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Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm). Direct fecal‑oral transmission leads to mild gastrointestinal upset, abdominal pain, and occasional malabsorption. Single‑dose praziquantel provides effective cure.
Prevention strategies focus on rodent control, sanitation, protective equipment for high‑risk occupations, and vaccination where available (e.g., hantavirus vaccines in limited regions). Prompt medical evaluation after any rat exposure mitigates disease progression and reduces public‑health impact.