2025 ICD-10-CM code A25.0

Spirillosis (Sodoku): A bacterial infection caused by Spirillum minus, transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected rodent.

Use additional code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-).Do not use A25.0 for infections specific to the perinatal period (P35-P39) or complicating pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (O98.-).

Medical necessity for the diagnosis and treatment of Spirillosis (A25.0) is established by the confirmation of the infection through laboratory testing or strong clinical suspicion in the context of a rodent bite or scratch.

Clinicians diagnose spirillosis based on patient history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, such as penicillin. Patient education focuses on preventive measures, including avoiding contact with rodents and contaminated food/water.

In simple words: Spirillosis is a type of rat-bite fever you can get from a bite or scratch of an infected rat. It causes fever, rash, and the area around the bite gets swollen. Sometimes, it can lead to more serious problems like heart, liver, or brain infections.

Spirillosis, also known as Sodoku, is a form of rat-bite fever caused by the bacterium Spirillum minus.Transmission occurs primarily through the bite or scratch of an infected rodent, particularly rats. The infection is characterized by a relapsing fever, skin rash, and inflammation at the bite site.In severe cases, complications such as endocarditis, myocarditis, hepatitis, and meningitis may occur.

Example 1: A patient presents with a fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes after being bitten by a rat.Laboratory tests confirm the presence of Spirillum minus, leading to a diagnosis of A25.0., A traveler returning from Asia develops recurring fevers, chills, and joint pain. Upon examination, an old, healed rat bite is discovered.A25.0 is diagnosed after serological testing., A child with a history of playing in a rat-infested area develops a skin ulcer at the site of a scratch, accompanied by fever and regional lymphadenopathy. Spirillum minus is identified in a culture from the ulcer, confirming A25.0.

Documentation should include details of the animal bite or scratch, the presence and characteristics of the skin lesion, associated symptoms (fever, rash, lymphadenopathy), laboratory findings confirming the presence of Spirillum minus, and treatment administered.

  • Specialties:Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Travel Medicine
  • Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Urgent Care Facility
** Only Enterprise users with EHR integration can access case-specific answers. Click here to request access.