Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: An Important Cause of Bacterial Disease in Farmed Pigs and an Occupational Pathogen of Humans

Margaret Spiteri,Andrew Taylor-Robinson

doi:10.15344/2456-4028/2018/134

Abstract

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a Gram-positive bacillus that is found ubiquitously in the environment. It is known to colonise a wide range of animals, most commonly farmed pigs, turkeys and hens, in which it can cause pathology. The disease swine erysipelas affects growing pigs, significantly impacting pork production, and so its early detection and control is economically important. Infection of humans with E. rhusiopathiae is primarily associated with occupational exposure and most often results in a localised skin infection called erysipeloid. More severe infections can cause serious illness and even death in both animals and humans. The accurate identification of E. rhusiopathiae is often dependent on the inclusion in the clinical history of relevant information regarding exposure. Since the bacterium is often mistaken for other species of Grampositive bacillus this ensures that appropriate differential tests are required. There are confirmed cases of E. rhusiopathiae infection in individuals with no reported animal exposure so it is possible that there are other modes of transmission. Regarding treatment regimens, E. rhusiopathiae is intrinsically resistant to vancomycin but susceptible to penicillins and carbapenems.

Highlights

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, formally known as Erysipelas insidiosa, is a Gram-positive bacillus that commonly invades and sometimes causes disease in animals, most often farmed pigs, turkeys and chickens, and sheep, cattle, horses, rodents, wild birds, fish, shellfish and reptiles [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
Very little information is available regarding the serotypes implicated in human cases but one study identified serotype 3 in a patient with endocarditis caused by E. rhusiopathiae [10]
Oral doses of penicillin are sufficient to resolve most erysipeloid cases but intravenous penicillin is recommended for more serious infections [3]

Summary

Introduction

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, formally known as Erysipelas insidiosa, is a Gram-positive bacillus that commonly invades and sometimes causes disease in animals, most often farmed pigs, turkeys and chickens, and sheep, cattle, horses, rodents, wild birds, fish, shellfish and reptiles [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. For this reason management practices have been developed to minimise infection rates, including vaccination, keeping herds closed to prevent the introduction of any potentially infected animals, and the inclusion of antibiotics in commercial livestock feed [3,12]. E. rhusiopathiae is the causative agent of swine erysipelas, a disease that is described mainly in growing pigs and which can have a major negative economic impact on the pig farming industry for production of pork, ham and bacon [1,3,6,7,8,12].

Results

Conclusion