Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
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- Causes arthritis in sheep and arthritis and discospondylitis in pigs
- May be involved in cutaneous lesions
Overview
- Causes erysipelas in pigs and turkeys worldwide
- Occasionally infects sheep and other animals
- Causes erysipeloid, a localised cellulitis in humans
- Found in porcine tonsils - 50% of pigs are thought to be carriers
- Bacteria excreted in faeces and oronasal secretions
- Survive in soil for less than 35 days
- Present on fish
Characteristics
- Gram-positive, small rod (smooth form) or filamentous (rough form)
- Facultative anaerobe
- Non-motile
- Catalase negative, oxidase negative, coagulase positive
- Isolates from acute infections produce smooth colonies
- Isolates from chronic infections produce rough colonies
- Grow on nutrient agar; growth enhanced by addition of blood or serum
- Small colonies with incomplete haemolysis in 48 hours
- Hydrogen sulphide sormed along stab line in TSI agar
- Growth over wide rangs of temperatures and pH