ratbite fever

[ rat-bahyt ]
/ ˈrætˌbaɪt /

noun Pathology.

either of two relapsing febrile diseases, widely distributed geographically, caused by infection with Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minor and transmitted by rats.

Origin of ratbite fever

First recorded in 1905–10; rat + bite

Words nearby ratbite fever

British Dictionary definitions for rat-bite fever

ratbite fever

ratbite disease

/ (ˈrætˌbaɪt) /

noun

pathol an acute infectious febrile disease caused by the bite of a rat infected with either of two pathogenic bacteria (Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus)

Medical definitions for rat-bite fever

rat-bite fever

n.

Headache, fever, lymphangitis, and lymphadenitis following the bite of a rat or other rodent, due either to a spirillum or to Streptobacillus moniliformis.