Erysipelothrix Flashcards
Erysipelothrix. rhusiopathiae
Describe the morphology of this organism.
Describe the appearance of this organism on culture.
What species of animals can this organism infect?
Gram positive, decolorizes easily, slender, tends to become filamentous in old (lab-adapted) cultures and stain gram negative.
Tiny, clear colonies, alpha hemolysis, slow growing, requires serum.
Causes erysipelas, an important disease of swine and turkeys and a sporadic disease in many other animals. It is the cause of erysipeloid in humans.
Erysipelothrix. rhusiopathiae
What are some of the tests you could perform to help you identify this organism?
Catalase neg., H2S positive in Kligler=s or TSI (appears black), “test tube brush motility” is classic but takes up to two weeks to develop fully.
Erysipelothrix. rhusiopathiae
Describe any resistances this organism has.
Resists drying and meat curing. Remains viable in soil many months, water and decaying carcasses remain infected, resists phenol.
E. rhusiopathiae
Describe the habitat for this organism.
Carried in the tonsils and intestine of about 30 to 50% of swine. Excreted in the feces and urine; may survive in soil of hog lots for many months.
It is an important disease of swine and turkeys and a sporadic disease in many other animals. It is the cause of erysipeloid in humans.
What organism is this?
E. rhusiopathiae
What test is this?
Is this test positive or negative?
H2S Kligler=s test (tube on the left)
The tube on the left is positive Kliglers
Are there any antigens associated with E. rhusiopathiae?
There are several serotypes; disease may be related to the serotype ie., certain animal species are often infected by a specific serotype or group of serotypes.
For example, swine are usually infected with serotypes 1 and 2.
Explain the pathogenesis of E. rhusiopathiae in swine.
Route of entry?
Three basic manifestations of this disease.
Route of entry is unknown but may be associated with wounds or via the intestinal mucosa.
- ) Acute form: septicemia with acute lameness, see high fever, acute deaths.
- ) Skin form (diamond skin disease): Thrombi occlude the blood supply to areas of the skin and these areas become necrotic. Said to be a milder form of the acute disease.
- ) Chronic form: endocarditis and arthritis. May occur subsequent to the acute form but may also appear without previous clinical acute disease.
What is this?
Diamond skin disease caused by E. rhusiopathiae.
Thrombi occlude the blood supply to areas of the skin and these areas become necrotic. Said to be a milder form of the acute disease.
How does E. rhusiopathiae enter turkeys?
Which sex is it seen more often in?
The organism possibly enters via fight wounds and produces septicemia and cyanosis.
Seen more often in males.
How does E. rhusiopathiae enter humans?
What are the symptoms and what is the treatment?
Entry via wounds, handling of infected swine or pork, fishermen from fish; veterinarians and vet students.
Erysipeloid: The lesions are non-suppurative, purplish and erythematous and usually occur on the hands or arms. The lesions burn and itch and the pain may extend into adjacent joints. Lymphangitis occurs in about 20% of the cases and occasional endocarditis occurs as well.
Localized lesions generally resolve spontaneously within 3 weeks. Antimicrobial therapy speeds recovery.
This is an example of what?
E. rhusiopathiae infection in a human (Erysipeloid).
What additional species can E. rhusiopathiae infect?
Almost any species of animal can be infected.
How do you diagnose E. rhusiopathiae?
Do a culture and look at the clinical signs.
Are there vaccinations available for E. rhusiopathiae?
What is the immunity against this organism?
Routine in swine and turkeys (intramuscular and oral). Antisera, bacterins, avirulent vaccines are all available.
Recovery confers immunity
