Eryspielothrix - Exam 2 Flashcards
Which species does Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae most commonly infect?
Swine
Pigs less than 3 months and over 3 years of age are least susceptible
The pigs that are most susceptible have not developed their full immune response and are commonly when the pigs are pushed for production and animals are stressed
(also infect turkey and sheep)
True/False. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae are very persistent in the environment.
TRUE!
Can survive for 6 months in swine feces
Resistant to drying and high salt concentrations
Can survive in a wide range of temperatures
How do turkey and sheep become infected with Eryispelothrix rhusiopathiae?
Usually with wound infections
Males are more frequently infected (fight wounds)
What is the most important virulence factor of E. rhusiopathiae and what is its function?
Neuraminidase
Cleaves sialic acid from epithelial cells and allow the bacteria to bond and leads to thrombus formation
Its production varies directly with its virulence
How is E. rhusiopathiae transmitted to swine?
Mainly by ingestion of contaminated material
Which form of of Erysipelothrix is acute and associated with high mortality in swine?
The septic form
Fever, anorexia, depression, vomiting, stiff gait, reluctance to walk, palpable urticarial lesions are felts before visible
What kind of kind of lesions are associated with the most common form for Erysipelothrix in swine?
Diamond skin diseases
Acute and less severe
Which form of Erysipelothrix has a significant impact on swine industry?
Chronic forms
Vegetative endocarditis (cardiac insufficiency or sudden death)
Arthritis
Abortion (infrequent)
True/False. Erysipelothrix will be included in the differential diagnosis if a turkey presents with a swollen snood.
True
Which bird species does Erysipelothrix typically infect and what does it cause?
Turkeys!
Usually causes septiciemia
Chronic manifestations include vegetative endocarditis and arthritis
True/False. Humans can become infected by Erysipeolthrix through zoonosis.
True!
Usually from handling infected fish or meat! (self-limiting infection on the skin-hand)
What pathogenesis will you see with Erysipelothrix in dolphins?
Septicemia and urticaria
What pathogenesis will you see with Erysipelothrix in dogs?
Endocarditis and arthritis
What type of pathogenesis will you see in sheep with Erysipelothrix? How do they become infected?
Polyarthritis
Entry through umbilicus or wound
Affected animals show stiff gait and swollen joints
What is the target for the cell-mediated and humoral response?
Neruaminidase!!
Antibodies will bind to the neuraminidase which will not let it cleave the sialic acid and bacteria cannot bind
“killed by complement and other shit”
What type of organism would you expect to see when you look at a Erysipelothrix gram stain?
Gram-positive slender rods
What kind of hemolysis would you expect to see when you culture Erysipelothrix?
Gamma hemolysis
