Moniliformis Infection

Moniliformis Infection – General Information

Moniliformis Infection is a disorder which is carried by animals and can be transmitted to a human through a scratch or a bite of the infected animal. The disorder can spread through the urine of an infected individual or through the fluids in the nose or in the mouth. There are two different organisms which lead to the appearance and development of this disease. The first one is the Spirillum minus and the other one is Streptobacillus moniliformis. The reports have shown that there are some regions where the frequency rate of this disease is higher, such as South America, Africa, Australia, North America, Japan and some parts of Europe. The reports have also shown the fact that, in most of the cases, people get infected because they get in touch with the conjunctival or oral secretions from a sick animal; this usually happens as the result of a bite, but some other situations must be taken into consideration, too. Moniliformis Infection is usually transmitted by rats, gerbils, weasels, squirrels, dogs, cats or mice. However, there are some situations in which people get the bacteria directly, through the ingestion of some products, such as unpasteurized milk. Moniliformis Infection usually affects laboratory workers who spend a lot of time handling rabbits and poor people, who live in an infected habitat. In what concerns the second situation, the most likely to be infected are the children, as they do not receive any protection at all and they can be bitten by a rodent even at home.

Moniliformis Infection – Symptoms

When the disease is caused by the Actinobacillus muris organism, the sufferer will experience headaches, chills, fever and muscle pain. These symptoms usually develop in the first ten days after a person gets infected. The next three- four days are characterized by the appearance of a diffuse rash, usually in the extremities (the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands).  After this happens, a small number of the joints may become red, swollen and extremely painful. This type of infection must be treated as soon as possible, as it can lead to the development of severe complications and it can affect vital parts of the human body, such as the heart valves (endocarditis), the sac which bears the heart (pericarditis), the lungs (pneumonia) or the coverage of the spinal cord and the brain (meningitis). In addition, some abscesses may appear (a pocket of infections which affecta certain organ inside the body). The other type of Moniliformis Infection, which is caused by Spirillum minus is most common in some parts of Asia, especially Japan. In this case, the sufferer experiences a severe skin rash, which is characterized by the appearance of a large number of purple or red plaques, especially near the site of the bite. This type of infection, however, can cure without any treatment in a couple of weeks. There are also some common signs and symptoms which characterize the both types of Moniliformis Infection. The most common ones are the open sores, arthritis and the severe muscle aches and headaches.

Moniliformis Infection - Treatment

If you notice the appearance and development of one or more of the signs and symptoms described above, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible in order to obtain a sure diagnosis and to benefit from the best way of treatment. In order to obtain all the information he needs, your doctor will probably choose to take some tests and perform a physical examination. He can also choose a blood antibody test. In the case of Moniliformis Infection caused by a streptobacillus, the doctor will probably take a fluid sample from a joint or a blood sample. The sample will then be cultured in the laboratory in order to obtain an organism which will then be examined to provide more information about the presence of Streptobacillus moniliformis. When Moniliformis Infection is caused by Spirillum minus, the doctor can just examine a tissue sample or a blood sample of the patient.

The most common treatment which is administrated in the case of those who suffer from Moniliformis Infection is the administration of penicillin V or penicillin G, which proved efficient against both types of the disease. However, some of those who suffer from this disease may be allergic to these drugs; in this case, the doctor will recommend the administration of tetracycline or erythromycin. If the patient receives the right treatment, with the right dosage, adjusted to his general health condition and the stage of the disease, he should feel better after a short period of time. This disease can cure on its own, but in some cases there can appear serious complications, sometimes even fatal. This is also the reason why the patients should also ask for the opinion of a specialist. However, the most important thing which should be remembered is the fact that it is easier to prevent the appearance and development of Moniliformis Infection and to cure it. In order to prevent this disease, people should be aware of some simple rules and indications. In the first place, people should avoid any kind of contact with animals which can pass on the organisms which cause the disease. This, however, can be quite difficult for those poor people who live in an infected area but they have no possibility to move, because of a poor economical situation. On the other hand, people should be extremely careful at what they eat and drink, as they can also ingest the causative organisms. You should consume water only form a safe source and you should choose pasteurized milk. There are also some simple measures which must be taken after a person is bitten by an animal which carries Moniliformis Infection. You should carefully clean the area around the bite and then get a rabies and tetanus vaccine. You can also take pain-killers, whenever it is necessarily, and you should get some rest, in order to improve your general condition. However, the most important thing which must be remembered is the fact that this disease is not extremely dangerous and it can be cured easily with the right treatment.