What infectious diseases are associated with rat feces?

Infectious Diseases Associated with Rat Feces

Rat feces can transmit several potentially life-threatening infectious diseases to humans, primarily through aerosolized particles, direct contact, or contamination of food and water sources. 1

Primary Pathogens and Associated Diseases

Viral Infections

• Hantaviruses:
  • Seoul virus (carried by Norway rats/Rattus norvegicus) - causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) 1
  • Mortality rate with Seoul virus infection is typically <1%, though serious disease can occur 1
  • Transmission occurs through inhalation of aerosolized virus particles from rat feces, urine, or saliva 1
  • Even brief exposure (as little as 5 minutes) to areas with infected rat excreta can lead to infection 1

Bacterial Infections

• Streptobacillus moniliformis:

  • Causes rat bite fever (RBF) 2
  • Can be transmitted through contact with rat feces and urine, not just bites 2
  • Presents with fever, migratory polyarthralgia, and polymorphous skin lesions 2
  • Potentially lethal if untreated 2

• Leptospira species:

  • Causes leptospirosis 3, 4
  • High prevalence (36.3%) found in urban rats 4
  • Often coexists with hantavirus infections (12.5% coinfection rate in some studies) 3
  • Transmission occurs through contact with water or soil contaminated with infected rat urine or feces

• Yersinia pestis:

  • Causative agent of plague 1
  • While primarily transmitted by fleas that feed on infected rats, the bacteria can be present in rat feces
  • Important consideration when dealing with rodent infestations 1

Transmission Mechanisms

1. Aerosol Route:

   • Most common transmission method for hantaviruses 1
   • Occurs when dried rat feces are disturbed, creating airborne particles
   • Can cause infection after minimal exposure time (minutes) 1

2. Direct Contact:

   • Contact with rat feces, especially when handling contaminated materials 2
   • Entry through broken skin or mucous membranes 1

3. Ingestion:

   • Consumption of food or water contaminated with rat feces 1

High-Risk Environments

• Markets and urban areas with rat infestations 3, 4
• Rural settings where wild rats are present 1
• Areas with poor sanitation allowing rat populations to flourish

Clinical Implications and Prevention

Key Prevention Strategies:

• Treat all rat feces as potentially infectious 1
• Use appropriate disinfectants (dilute bleach solutions, phenolics, 70% alcohol) 1
• Wear personal protective equipment when cleaning areas with potential rat infestations
• Avoid creating aerosols when cleaning rat-contaminated areas
• Control rat populations while simultaneously addressing flea infestations to prevent plague transmission 1

Important Clinical Considerations:

• Consider rat-borne zoonoses in patients with unexplained fever, especially with known rat exposure 5
• Be aware that coinfections with multiple pathogens (e.g., hantavirus and Leptospira) can occur 3
• Early diagnosis and treatment are essential, particularly for bacterial infections like rat bite fever 2

Geographic Variations

• Seoul virus (hantavirus) has worldwide distribution but causes disease primarily in Asia 1
• High seroprevalence rates for multiple zoonotic pathogens found in rats from urban markets in some regions:
  • Hantavirus (40%)
  • Leptospira (36.3%)
  • Orientia tsutsugamushi (11.3%) 4

The diversity of pathogens found in rat feces highlights the importance of proper sanitation, rodent control measures, and appropriate precautions when dealing with potential rat infestations to prevent these potentially serious zoonotic infections.