A case of apparent canine erysipeloid associated with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteraemia

Abstract

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a Gram-positive facultative anaerobe found worldwide and is most commonly associated with skin disease in swine, while anecdotal reports of cases in dogs have been associated with endocarditis. Clinicians should consider systemic infectious diseases as a potential cause of erythematous skin lesions. A 5-year-old female spayed Labrador retriever presented with lethargy, anorexia and erythematous skin lesions while receiving immunosuppressive therapy for immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. Four days prior to presentation, the dog had chewed on a raw turkey carcase. Complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis and blood cultures. Blood cultures yielded a pure growth of E. rhusiopathiae serotype 1b. Amoxicillin 22 mg/kg orally twice daily for 2 weeks and discontinuation of azathioprine resulted in remission of fever and skin lesions. This report is the first documentation, to the best of the authors' knowledge, of Erysipelothrix infection, a known zoonosis, in an immunosuppressed dog, highlighting the need for infectious disease monitoring in patients receiving such therapy. This information may also help educate veterinarians to include Erysipelothrix infection as a differential diagnosis in dogs with fever and skin lesions, as well as the role of blood cultures in diagnosing this disease.