Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

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Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Blood agar plate culture of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Blood agar plate culture of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Firmicutes
Class: Mollicutes
Order: Anaeroplasmatales
Family: Erysipelotrichidae
Genus: Erysipelothrix
Species: E. rhusiopathiae
Binomial name
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Migula, 1900
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 A26.
ICD-9 027.1
DiseasesDB 4432
MedlinePlus 000632
eMedicine derm/602 
MeSH D004889

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium. Distributed world-wide, E. rhusiopathiae is primarily considered an animal pathogen, causing a disease known as erysipelas in animals (and erysipeloid in humans – see below). Turkeys and pigs are most commonly affected, but cases have been reported in other birds, sheep, fish, and reptiles.[1] The human disease called erysipelas is not caused by E. rhusiopathiae, but by various members of the genus Streptococcus.

[edit] Pathogenesis

In humans, E. rhusiopathiae infections most commonly present in a mild cutaneous form known as erysipeloid.[1] E. rhusiopathiae can cause an indolent cellulitis, more commonly in individuals who handle fish and raw meat.[2] It gains entry typically by abrasions in the hand. Bacteremia and endocarditis are uncommon sequalae.[3][4] Due to the rarity of reported human cases, E. rhusiopathie infections are frequently misidentified at presentation.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Brooke C, Riley T (1999). "Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: bacteriology, epidemiology and clinical manifestations of an occupational pathogen". J Med Microbiol 48 (9): 789-99. PMID 10482289. 
  2. ^ Lehane L, Rawlin G (2000). "Topically acquired bacterial zoonoses from fish: a review". Med J Aust 173 (5): 256-9. PMID 11130351. 
  3. ^ Brouqui P, Raoult D (2001). "Endocarditis due to rare and fastidious bacteria". Clin Microbiol Rev 14 (1): 177-207. doi:10.1128/CMR.14.1.177-207.2001. PMID 11148009. 
  4. ^ Nassar I, de la Llana R, Garrido P, Martinez-Sanz R (2005). "Mitro-aortic infective endocarditis produced by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: case report and review of the literature". J Heart Valve Dis 14 (3): 320-4. PMID 15974525.