Ann Dermatol Vener
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Infection with Streptobacillus moniliformis is an uncommon illness which can lead to death if untreated. We report the case in which initially cutaneous signs permitted diagnosis and further identification of the organism. ⋯ Streptobacillary rat-bite fever is a systemic infectious disease. It is caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, organism found in the oropharyngeal flora of small rodents, especially rats. The illness is uncommon in urban settings. It starts by fever, followed by arthritis and rash. Septicaemical rat-bite fever may start only with cutaneous involvement such as acral purpura, like in our case. This clinical manifestation must be recognized by the dermatologist, because the illness can lead to death if untreated.