Survey of Razi Institute NIH Laboratory mice to Streptobacillus monili-formis, the causative agent of rat bite fever

One of the most important and dangerous bacterial diseases in colonies of mice is rat bite fever. This disease can be transmitted to humans. According to international standards, in the event of a confrontation, control measures, combat and possibly eradication and remove the colony should be taken. The disease caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis bacteria. Symptoms of the disease in humans include high fever, chills, polyarthritis, and skin inflammation. So far, international standards for determining the infection of laboratory animals with this infectious agent have not been performed in Iran. In this study, the prevalence of this bacterium, in the colony of Razi Institute NIH Laboratory mice was studied in 1398. Number of 66 mice from a breeding colony were randomly selected and were examined by PCR method for presence of this bacterium. No positive samples were observed. According to the instructions used, it can be concluded that with 99.9% confidence, there was no infection with Streptobacillus monilioformis in breeding facilities. The result of this study shows that the observance of hygiene items in this center is done well. However, periodic and continuous monitoring of this bacterium and other important infectious agents should be performed.