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Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

I. General Information

1. NCBI Taxonomy ID:

2. Disease:

Erysipelas

3. Introduction

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a facultative, non-spore-forming, non-acid-fast, small, Gram-positive bacillus. The organism was first established as a human pathogen late in the nineteenth century. Three forms of human disease have been recognised since then. These include a localised cutaneous lesion form, erysipeloid, a generalised cutaneous form and a septicaemic form often associated with endocarditis. The organism is ubiquitous and able to persist for a long period of time in the environment, including marine locations. It is a pathogen or a commensal in a wide variety of wild and domestic animals, birds and fish. Swine erysipelas caused by E. rhusiopathiae is the disease of greatest prevalence and economic importance. Diseases in other animals include erysipelas of farmed turkeys, chickens, ducks and emus, and polyarthritis in sheep and lambs (Wang et al., 2010). Infection in man is occupationally related, occurring principally as a result of contact with animals, their products or wastes. While it has been suggested that the incidence of human infection could be declining because of technological advances in animal industries, infection still occurs in specific environments. Furthermore, infection by the organism may be under-diagnosed because of the resemblance it bears to other infections and the problems that may be encountered in isolation and identification. Diagnosis of erysipeloid can be difficult if not recognised clinically, as culture is lengthy and the organism resides deep in the skin (Brooke and Riley, 1999).

4. Host Ranges and Animal Models

The domestic pig is the most important reservoir of E. rhusiopathiae. E. rhusiopathiae and infections caused by this organism are worldwide in distribution, and affect a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate species, including swine, sheep, cattle, horses, dogs, bears, kangaroos, reindeer, mice, rodents, seals, sea lions, cetaceans, mink, chipmunks, crustaceans, fresh and salt water fish, crocodiles, caymen, stable flies, houseflies, ticks, mites, mouse lice, turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, pigeons, sparrows, starlings, eagles, parrots, pheasants, peacocks, quail, parakeets, mud hens, canaries, finches, siskins, thrushes, blackbirds, turtledoves and white storks. Human disease can originate from an animal or environmental source (Wang et al., 2010).

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