112. Erysipelas (Zoon.).

Question 1

Is Erysipelas zoonotic?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Occurence?

Answer 2

• worldwide,
• summer,
• sporadic,
• mainly small farms

Question 3

Aetiology of Erysipelas?

Answer 3

Aetiology

• Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (E. tonsillarum)
• Morphology, culture (2 types of colonies: S (acute disease) & R (chronic disease) -type colonies)
• Virulence factors
• Thin polysaccharide capsule: protection, inhibition of phagocytosis
• EC enzymes
• Neuraminidase: adhesion to endothelial cells (damage cells)
• Hyaluronidase, coagulase
• Antigens (2 types of antigens: some in cell wall not connected with immunity but connected with the
• disease; surface protein atgs)
• 26 serotypes: 1a mainly acute, 2a mainly subacute/chronic forms
• 3 common protein antigens (A-B-C partial cross protection) – responsible for protection
• Resistance quite good (soil, water, salt)

Question 4

Epidemiology- Facultative pathogen?

Answer 4

Epidemiology - Facultative pathogen

• Habitat of the agent: also in asymptomatic animals (no extra introduction needed)
• tonsils of swine;
• alimentary tract of mammals and birds;
• water, mud, soil
• Susceptibility: mammals, birds, humans (all warm blooded animals)
• Maternal protection (disease appears in piglets >3 month old)
• Predisposing factors
• Swine: warm weather, overcrowding, transportation, thirst
• Sheep: wounds (castration, shearing), navel infection, dipping (mass treatments)
• Goose, duck, turkey: summer, overcrowding, feather plucking

Question 5

Pathogenesis of Erysipelas?

Answer 5

Pathogenesis

• Asymptomatic carriage, shedding
• Predisposing factors
• Clinical form is influenced by:
• Virulence of the strain, Immunity of the pigs

Clinical forms

• Acute septicaemia
• Subacute: diamond skin disease
• Chronic: After acute or subacute form / Originally chronic form
• Throat (skin) → blood → septicaemia
• Acute septicaemia
• Diamond skin disease: inflammation of the vessels in the skin (with the help of neuraminidase); can become
• acute or chronic
• Chronic: inflammation of endothelial cells, thrombus formation, block; joints; endocarditis, kidney; skin

Question 6

Clinical signs of erysipelas?

Answer 6

Clinical signs

• Incubation 3-5 days
• Acute septicaemia: fever, depression; erythema, MM cyanotic, abortion
• Diamond skin disease: red → cyanotic, „rhombus”, rhomboid urticaria
• Chronic: endocarditis, arthritis, skin necrosis (ear & tail)

Question 7

Pathology of ersipelas?

Answer 7

Pathology

• Acute septicaemia:
• hyperaemic spleen,
• haemorrhages,
• fibrin btwn intestinal loops,
• enlarged oedematous
• LNs
• Diamond skin disease: animals generally do not die so there are no PM lesions; if they do die then there are
• haemorrhages & enlarged spleen
• Chronic:
• endocarditis,
• lung oedema,
• kidney infarcts,
• fibrinoid arthritis,
• skin necrosis

Question 8

Diagnosis of Erysipelas?

Answer 8

Diagnosis

• Epidemiology – clinical signs – post mortem lesions
• Detection of the agent:
• Microscopic examination
• (smear from spleen); Bacterium isolation; IF, PCR

Question 9

DD of Erysipelas?

Answer 9

DD

• Acute septicaemia:

1. Classical swine fever,
2. African swine fever,
3. acute paratyphus,
4. actinobacillus pleuropneumonia,
5. Aujeszky-disease

• Chronic erysipelas (arthritis):

1. chronic salmonellosis,
2. brucellosis,
3. mycoplasmosis

Question 10

Treatment of erysipelas?

Answer 10

Treatment

• Individual treatment:
• AB – penicillin;
• Hyperimmune serum (if available – very good treatment)
• Pen mates: metaphylatic treatment; ABs in water or feed

Question 11

Prevention of erysipelas?

Answer 11

Prevention

• Prevention of predisposing effects
• Vaccination: Above 3 months 2x – inactivated used in Europe; live (drinking water, spray) used in Asia
• (zoonotic so not recommended to use)
• There are no live vaccines used in Europe

Question 12

Other species?

Answer 12

Other species

• Sheep: sporadic, wounds
• (most important predisposing factor), naval infection, dipping, septicaemia,
• arthritis
• Bison, musk-ox: septicaemia
• Dolphin: septicaemia, diamond skin disease
• Birds
• Predisposing effects: warm weather, overcrowding, laying, feather plucking
• Clinical signs: fever, septicaemia, arthritis
• PM: haemorrhages (at the top of the heart), enlarged spleen, focal necrosis in the liver
• Can be confused with fowl cholera (more haemorrhages in fowl cholera)
• Diagnosis: bacterium isolation
• Treatment: antibiotics (penicillins)
• In some countries vaccination before laying

Question 13

Public health aspects- Zoonotic?

Answer 13

Public health aspects – Zoonotic!

• Human erysipeloid, sepsis
• Source of infection: swine, fish, sewage water
• Hand (wounds) – Subaxillary LN (sepsis): labourers dissecting infecting animals/butchers/fisherman
• Frequently it doesn’t spread unless the infected hand touches another area of the body
• Rarely spread to LNs
• Treatment (ABs), prevention (wear gloves)