A Streptobacillus, the Cause of Tendon-Sheath Infection in Turkeys

Streptobacillus ratti sp. nov., isolated from a black rat (Rattus rattus)

“…Approximately 50-100 % of wild rats usually carry Streptobacillus moniliformis asymptomatically in their oro-or nasopharynx and shed the organism with saliva and urine (Elliott, 2007;Kimura et al, 2008). Other rodents, as well as companion and exotic animal species and livestock, are principally reported to be susceptible to clinical infection in addition to rats and mice, but mice may develop disease strain-dependently (Boyer et al, 1958;Das, 1986;Ditchfield et al, 1961;Gaastra et al, 2009;Glünder et al, 1982;Gourlay et al, 1982;Mohamed et al, 1969;Russell & Straube, 1979;Smallwood, 1929;Valverde et al, 2002;Wullenweber et al, 1990;Yamamoto & Clark, 1966).…”

Approved and novel strategies in diagnostics of rat bite fever and otherStreptobacillusinfections in humans and animals

“…In addition to the natural reservoir of rats, mice and other rodents, streptobacillary infections have also been reported to occur in livestock as well as zoo animals like calves, a pig, turkeys, non-human primates, and a koala. 4,13,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Recently, various publications suggest that Streptobacillus species might be far more common and distributed in the environment or as commensal microbiota than previously thought. 32,37,[59][60][61][62][63] It could recently be shown that the natural reservoir for the very rare cases of human S. hongkongensis infection known to date is indeed the human oropharynx à and presumably not an unidentified animal or environmental reservoir.…”

“…[25][26][27] Isolates exist also from laboratory mice (Mus musculus) 11,[28][29][30] and from turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). 13,16,18,22 Isolates from rats, mice, turkeys and humans were shown to belong to the same species. 31 Reports on possible infections in other livestock species date decades back into the last century.…”

“…11,12 Other rodents as well as companion and exotic animal species and livestock are principally reported to be susceptible to clinical infection besides rats and mice, but mice may strain-dependently develop disease. 4,11,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Detection of streptobacillosis due to S. moniliformis is referred to as a "diagnostic dilemma" 23 because reasons for under-diagnosing in susceptible host species are missing notice of a rodent bite or contact, non-specific clinical symptoms, 6 fastidious growth of the widely unknown microorganism and a lack of reliable diagnostics, non-notifiable disease and broad chemotherapeutic susceptibility. With respect to known diagnostic difficulties with this microorganism this review summarizes diagnostic approaches to detect streptobacillary infection in humans and animals.…”

Streptobacillus sp. isolated from a cat with pneumonia

“…Nevertheless, isolation of Streptobacillus moniliformis from rat urine and faeces is not always successful (Freundt, 1956;Wullenweber et al, 1990). Streptobacillus infection has also been reported on a few occasions from livestock (calves, a pig and domestic turkey), as well as from zoo animals (non-human primates and a koala) (Boyer et al, 1958;Gaastra et al, 2009;Glünder et al, 1982;Gourlay et al, 1982;Mohamed et al, 1969;Russell & Straube, 1979;Smallwood, 1929;Valverde et al, 2002;Yamamoto & Clark, 1966). Most reports on isolates derived from livestock lack genetic data and are focused mainly on pathogen morphology or zoonotic symptoms alone.…”