Rat-bite fever medical therapy
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Responds to penicillin antibiotics. In cases allergic to penicillin, erythromycin or tetracyclines can be used for respectively streptobacillary or spirillary infections.
Treatment
Antimicrobial therapy
- Streptobacillus moniliformis treatment[1]
- 1. Migratory arthropathy and arthritis
- Preferred regimen (uncomplicated disease): Penicillin G 2.4-4.8 MU/day IV divided q6h. If better after 1 wk, switch to oral Amoxicillin OR Penicillin Vk complete 14 days.
- 2. Diarrhea, (especially kids) liver or spleen abscess
- Preferred regimen (uncomplicated disease): Penicillin G 2.4-4.8 MU/day IV divided q6h. If better after 1 wk, switch to oral Amoxicillin OR Penicillin Vk complete 14 days.
- 3. Undifferentiated fever
- Preferred regimen (uncomplicated disease): Penicillin G 2.4-4.8 MU/day IV divided q6h. If better after 1 wk, switch to oral Amoxicillin OR Penicillin Vk complete 14 days.
- 4. Endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis (cardiac)
- Preferred regimen: Penicillin 20 MU/day IV divided q4h. Optimal duration recommendation for infective endocarditis is 4 weeks.
- Alternative regimen: Cephalosporins–Ceftriaxone OR Clindamycin OR Erythromycin OR Chloramphenicol AND Streptomycin.
- 5. Meningitis, brain abscess
- Preferred regimen: Penicillin 20 MU/day IV divided q4h.
- Alternative regimen: Cephalosporins–Ceftriaxone OR Clindamycin OR Erythromycin OR Chloramphenicol AND Streptomycin.
- 6. Anemia
- Preferred regimen (uncomplicated disease): Penicillin G 2.4-4.8 MU/day IV divided q6h. If better after 1 wk, switch to oral Amoxicillin OR Penicillin Vk complete 14 days.
- 7. Pneumonia
- Preferred regimen (uncomplicated disease): Penicillin G 2.4-4.8 MU/day IV divided q6h. If better after 1 wk, switch to oral Amoxicillin OR Penicillin Vk complete 14 days.
- 8. Amnionitis (pregnancy)
- Preferred regimen (uncomplicated disease): Penicillin G 2.4-4.8 MU/day IV divided q6h. If better after 1 wk, switch to oral Amoxicillin OR Penicillin Vk complete 14 days.
- 9. Renal abscess
- Preferred regimen (uncomplicated disease): Penicillin G 2.4-4.8 MU/day IV divided q6h. If better after 1 wk, switch to oral Amoxicillin OR Penicillin Vk complete 14 days.
References
- ↑ Bartlett, John (2012). Johns Hopkins ABX guide : diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning. ISBN 978-1449625580.
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