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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Development of the typical diamond shaped lesion on the skin is pathognomic for this disease. Erysipelas should be considered in any cases where fever and lameness occur together, or in farrowing sows who are struggling in combination with a fever.
Development of the typical diamond shaped lesion on the skin is pathognomic for this disease. Erysipelas should be considered in any cases where fever and lameness occur together, or in farrowing sows who are struggling in combination with a fever.
Post-mortem diagnosis may be needed for definitive diagnosis, in particular spleen, kidney, liver, [[Spleen - Anatomy & Physiology|spleen]], heart valves,a long bone and synovial tissues should be submitted for bacterial examination. Slender Gram-positive rods can be seen on microscopy of acute lesions; filamentous forms in chronic lesions and on smears.
Post-mortem diagnosis may be needed for definitive diagnosis, in particular spleen, kidney, liver, [[Spleen - Anatomy & Physiology|spleen]], heart valves,a long bone and synovial tissues should be submitted for bacterial examination.
Slender Gram-positive rods can be seen on microscopy of acute lesions; filamentous forms in chronic lesions and on smears.
High levels of antibiody may be found in joint fluid and so may aid diagnosis.
High levels of antibiody may be found in joint fluid and so may aid diagnosis.
ELISAs and PCR tests are also avilable which can be used directly on tissue or following culture.
ELISAs and PCR tests are also avilable which can be used directly on tissue or following culture.
Clinical outcome depends on susceptibility of pigs and virulence of strain. Pigs are susceptible after maternal antibody waned (after 3 months) and before protective immunity acquired (3 years).
Clinical outcome depends on susceptibility of pigs and virulence of strain. Pigs are susceptible after maternal antibody waned (after 3 months) and before protective immunity acquired (3 years).
Changes in diet, extremes of temperature and fatigue are thought to predispose to infection
Changes in diet, extremes of temperature and fatigue are thought to predispose to infection
3 forms of disease occur:
Hyperacute
Acute
Chronic
**Acute; incubation period 2-3 days
**Acute; incubation period 2-3 days
**Pigs found dead, febrile, depressed, recumbent or with stilted gait
**Pigs found dead, febrile, depressed, recumbent or with stilted gait