rat-bite fever
noun
: either of two febrile bacterial diseases of humans usually transmitted by the bite of a rat
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But rats do carry pathogens that can result in other diseases, such as the rare but still dangerous rat-bite fever. 
René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, 15 Sep. 2020
René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, 15 Sep. 2020 Word History
First Known Use
1910, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
rat-bite fever
noun
: either of two febrile human diseases usually transmitted by the bite of a rat:
a
: a disease that is marked by irregular relapsing fever with chills and nausea or vomiting, rashes on the arms, legs, hands and feet, and muscular pain and arthritis, and that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Streptobacillus (S. moniliformis)
b
: a disease that is marked by recurrent fever and chills, painful inflammation of the bite wound, and muscular pain, rash, and enlargement of the lymph nodes especially in the region where the bite occurred and that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Spirillum (S. minor synonym S. minus)
called also sodoku
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