Introduction

Classification

Taxonomy

• Genus: Erysipelothrix.
• Species: E. rhusiopathiae and E. tonsillarum are the only two species in the genus.

Etymology

• Greek: erysipelas - erysipelas; thrix - hair; rhusios - red; pathos - disease.

Active Forms

Clinical Effects

Epidemiology

Habitat

• Widespread in the environment and has been isolated from over 50 species of mammals and 30 species of wild birds.
• Can be isolated from apparently healthy pigs.
• Saprophytic character in question.

Lifecycle

• Found in gastrointestinal tract and lymphoid tissues of healthy animals.
• Multiplication and pathogenesis depend on virulence of the strains and immunity of the host.

Transmission

• Usually by ingestion.
• Also through the skin via abrasions or bites.

Pathological effects

• Partial immunity of the host and low virulence strains account for the localized skin form in pigs.
• Chronic articular changes in joints of pigs due to damage caused by the immunological response to the presence of bacterial antigens in the synovial membrane.

• Strains vary in virulence. The more virulent produce higher levels neuraminidase.
• Pigs: acute septicemia, acute localized skin lesions (diamond skin disease), chronic vegetative endocarditis, chronic polyarthritis.
• Birds: acute septicemia, chronic vegetative endocarditis and chronic arthritis.
• Sheep: chronic polyarthritis in lambs via umbilicus or wounds. Post-dipping lameness.
• Other animals: various infections.
• Humans: erysipeloid, which is usually localized cutaneous form. May occasionally be generalized cutaneous form, involve adjacent joints, cause endocarditis or become septicemic.

Control

Control via chemotherapies

• Penicillin Benzylpenicillin /erythromycin Erythromycin.

Vaccination

• Bacterins used for vaccination of swine and turkeys.
• Attenuated-live vaccines used in swine.

Diagnosis

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Takahashi T, Tamura Y, Yoshimura H et al (1993) Erysipelothrix tonsillarum isolated from dogs with endocarditis in Belgium. Res Vet Sci 54 (2), 264-265 PubMed.
• Sisson D & Thomas W P (1984) Endocarditis of the aortic valve in the dog. JAVMA 184 (5), 570-577 PubMed.
• Hoenig M & Gillette D M (1980) Endocarditis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in a dog. JAVMA 176 (4), 326-327 PubMed.