[1] The initial scratch or wound caused by a bite from a carrier rodent results in mild inflammatory reactions and ulcerations.
The symptoms include recurring fever, with body temperature 101–104 °F (38–40 °C).
The complications include myocarditis, endocarditis, hepatitis, splenomegaly, and meningitis.
[citation needed] The infections are acquired through rat bites or scratches.
It can occur as nosocomial infections (i.e., acquired from hospitals), or due to exposure or close associations with animals preying on rats, mice, squirrels, etc.