Erysipelas after surgery for breast cancer: a real-world cohort

Erysipelas is often related to lymphedema, which can occur in up to 60% of cases, with advanced age, radiotherapy, tumor extension, surgical approach, and infections as risk factors. The aim of this study was to present and discuss a series of cases of erysipelas after breast cancer surgery treated in a private mastology clinic over the past ten years. This is a retrospective horizontal cohort study in which we selected all cases of erysipelas after breast cancer surgery from 2009 to 2019. The following were evaluated: number of patients treated with a diagnosis of breast carcinoma with axillary approach, age, surgery performed, adjuvant treatment and treatment of erysipelas, presence of lymphedema, and measurement of circumferences between both arms and associated diseases. A total of 12 cases of breast cancer were treated. In 66.66% of cases, a radical axillary lymphadenectomy was performed, and in 16.66% of cases, only a sentinel lymph node investigation was performed. The average age was 67.6 years. Erysipelas appeared, on average, 43 months after cancer diagnosis. Two deaths were reported due to severe erysipelas leading to sepsis. More studies are still needed on the subject. Of the 12 cases in this study, eight (66.66%) were associated with lymphedema. Only two (16.66%) of the patients in this group who developed erysipelas were not submitted to axillary dissection. The treatment for 50% of the participants in this research was with penicillin G benzathine. There were three relapses, and two patients died during the research period

Factors related to deep vein thrombosis in patients with cellulitis/erysipelas at two high-complexity facilities. A case-control study

Lower extremity venous thromboembolism in the presence of soft tissue infection (cellulitis/erysipelas) is difficult to diagnose using clinical findings alone. This leads to an overuse of Doppler ultrasound, which is unnecessary in many cases. In Colombia, there are no studies to date reporting the simultaneous prevalence of these two conditions. Objective: to determine which factors are related to deep vein thrombosis in patients with lower extremity cellulitis/erysipelas. Materials and methods: a case-control study. Patients seen at Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe and the university hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 who were diagnosed with cellulitis/erysipelas and underwent lower extremity venous Doppler. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and imaging variables were considered. Results: altogether, 637 patients with a diagnosis of lower extremity cellulitis and erysipelas were found during the study period in both institutions. Of these, 18.5% (118 patients) had a lower extremity Doppler ultrasound ordered to rule out deep vein thrombosis, finding a total of 25 positive studies (21.19%). Out of the total sample, 56 (47.4%) were male, with a mean age of 65 years. Most of the cases (55.08%) had an intermediate risk according to the Wells scale. The most common patient factors related to thrombosis were: immobility 33%, lymphedema 29.66%, and chronic kidney disease 23.73%. Neoplasms were the factor which showed statistical significance for the presence of thrombosis OR 5 (1.64-15.16) (P=0.0056). Conclusions: cellulitis is not a unique finding to justify carrying out a Doppler test, and the routine use of this imaging technique in the diagnostic approach is not justified if there are no other risk factors for thrombosis. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2109).

El diagnóstico de enfermedad tromboembólica venosa de miembros inferiores en presencia de infección de tejidos blandos (celulitis/erisipela): es difícil de determinar con sólo los hallazgos clínicos, lo que lleva a un sobreuso de la ecografía Doppler que resulta innecesaria en muchos casos. En Colombia a la fecha no hay estudios que reporten la prevalencia simultánea de éstas dos condiciones. Objetivo: determinar cuáles son los factores que se relacionan con trombosis venosa profunda (TVP) en pacientes con celulitis/erisipela en miembros inferiores. Materiales y métodos: estudio de casos y controles. Pacientes atendidos en el Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe y la IPS universitaria entre enero de 2018 y diciembre de 2019 con diagnóstico de celulitis/erisipela y a quienes se les realizó Doppler venoso de miembros inferiores. Se consideraron variables demográficas, clínicas, paraclínicas e imagenológicas. Resultados: en total se identificaron 637 pacientes con diagnóstico de celulitis y erisipela de miembros inferiores en el periodo de estudio en ambas instituciones. De estos en 18.5% (118 pacientes) se solicitó ecografía Doppler de miembros inferiores para descartar trombosis venosa profunda, encontrando un total de 25 estudios positivos (21.19%). Del total de esta muestra fueron 56 hombres (47.4%) con una media de edad de 65 años. La mayoría de casos (55.08%), tuvieron riesgo intermedio según la escala de Wells. Los antecedentes más frecuentes relacionados con trombosis fueron: inmovilización 33%, linfedema 29.66%, enfermedad renal crónica 23.73%. La presencia de neoplasia fue el antecedente que demostró significancia estadística para la presencia de trombosis OR 5 (1.64-15.16) (P=0.0056). Conclusiones: la presencia de celulitis no es un hallazgo único que justifique la realización de Doppler, y el uso de imagen de rutina dentro del abordaje diagnóstico no está justificado si no existen otros factores de riesgo de trombosis. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2109).

Potenciais fatores associados a maior chance de recidiva de erisipela / Posibles factores asociados a mayor probabilidad de recidiva de erisipela / Potential factors associated with increased chance of erysipelas recurrence

Resumo Objetivo Analisar os fatores relacionados à recidiva de erisipela em adultos e idosos. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com 235 adultos e idosos admitidos em um hospital com diagnóstico de erisipela entre 2012 e 2019. Investigaram-se fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos relacionados a maior chance de recidiva de erisipela no período por meio de análises uni e bivariada, com p<0,05 considerado significativo. Resultados A prevalência de recidiva de erisipela foi de 25,5% (n=60). Os fatores significativamente associados à recidiva foram insuficiência venosa (p= 0,002; OR= 2,597; IC= 1,4-4,7) e uso de penicilina (p< 0,000; OR= 7,042; IC= 2,5-19,7). Conclusão a insuficiência venosa se associa a chance duas vezes maior de recidiva de erisipela e o uso de penicilina se associa a risco sete vezes maior para sua recidiva.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar los factores relacionados con la recidiva de erisipela en adultos y adultos mayores. Métodos Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con 235 adultos y adultos mayores ingresados en un hospital con diagnóstico de erisipela entre 2012 y 2019. Se investigaron factores sociodemográficos y clínicos relacionados con una mayor probabilidad de recidiva de erisipela en el período mediante análisis uni y bivariados, con p<0,05 considerado significativo. Resultados La prevalencia de recidiva de erisipela fue del 25,5 % (n=60). Los factores significativamente asociados con la recidiva fueron insuficiencia venosa (p= 0,002; OR= 2,597; IC= 1,4-4,7) y uso de penicilina (p< 0,000; OR= 7,042; IC= 2,5-19,7). Conclusión La insuficiencia venosa está relacionada con una probabilidad dos veces mayor de recidiva de erisipela, y el uso de penicilina está relacionado con un riesgo siete veces mayor de recidiva.

Abstract Objective To analyze factors related to erysipelas recurrence in adults and older adults. Methods Retrospective cohort study with 235 adults and older adults admitted to a hospital diagnosed with erysipelas between 2012 and 2019. Sociodemographic and clinical factors related to a greater chance of erysipelas recurrence in the period were investigated through uni and bivariate analyses, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results The prevalence of erysipelas recurrence was 25.5% (n=60). Factors significantly associated with recurrence were venous insufficiency (p= 0.002; OR= 2.597; 95%CI= 1.4-4.7) and use of penicillin (p< 0.000; OR= 7.042; 95%CI= 2.5-19.7). Conclusion venous insufficiency is associated with a twice greater chance of erysipelas recurrence and the use of penicillin is associated with a seven times greater risk for its recurrence.

Enfrentamiento de las infecciones de piel en el adulto / Managing adult skin infections

En la actualidad, las infecciones de piel y partes blandas forman parte de un alto porcentaje de las consultas en salud. Estas van desde infecciones leves, donde el manejo se realiza con tratamiento tópico, hasta aquellas con severo compromiso sistémico, requiriendo terapia antibiótica sistémica e incluso el desbridaje quirúrgico. En general, son producto de un desbalance entre los mecanismos de defensa de la barrera cutánea y los factores de virulencia y patogenicidad de los microorganismos que la afectan. Se pueden clasificar según distintos criterios, como por ejemplo, profundidad, gravedad, microorganismos involucrados y si estas son purulentas o no. El reconocer estas entidades clínicas es de suma importancia para llevar a cabo un adecuado tratamiento en los pacientes que presentan estas afecciones, ya que los diagnósticos erróneos llevan a las múltiples consultas con el consiguiente aumento de costos asociados en atención en salud.

Currently, skin and soft tissue infections are part of a high percentage of health consultations. These range from mild infections, where management is performed with topical treatment, to those with severe systemic compromise requiring systemic antibiotic therapy and even surgical debridement. In general, they are the product of an imbalance between the defense mechanisms of the skin barrier and the virulence and pathogenicity factors of the microorganisms that affect it, which can vary from bacterial, viral, fungal and parasites agents. Skin and soft tissue infections can be classified according to different criteria, such as depth, severity, microorganisms involved and whether they are purulent or not. Recognizing these clinical entities is of utmost importance to carry out adequate treatment in patients with these conditions, since erroneous diagnoses lead to multiple consultations with the consequent increase in costs associated with health care

First Report of Genetic Variability of Erysipelothrix sp. Strain 2 in Turkeys Associated to Vero Cells Morphometric Alteration.

Erysipelas is a disease caused by the Erysipelothrix genus, whose main species is the E. rhusiopathiae, the causative agent of animal erysipelas and human erysipeloid. We isolated Erysipelothrix sp. strain 2 (ES2) from turkey's organs during an outbreak in Brazilian commercial and breeder flocks with sepsis and high mortality levels. We studied 18 flocks, accounting for 182 samples, being eight flocks (84 samples) as ES2 positive with individuals demonstrating clinical symptoms and high mortality. We obtained the genetic variability of 19 samples with PFGE and found two clones, both from the same flock but different samples, and two clusters. Interestingly, we found 15 strains with high genetic variability among and within flocks. We have found a positive association between the proximity of ES2 positive turkey flocks and commercial swine sites through epidemiological analysis. We infected Vero cells with two different isolates and three distinct concentrations of ES2. After performing the morphometry, we recorded enlargement of the nucleus and nucleolus. Moreover, we performed fluorescence assays that resulted in apoptotic and necrotic cells. We demonstrated that ES2 could multiply in the extracellular medium and invade and survive inside Vero cells. For the first time, our finds show that ES2 may have similar behavior as E. rhusiopathiae as a facultative intracellular microorganism, which may represent a hazard for humans.

Non-necrotizing and necrotizing soft tissue infections in South America: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study analyzed and described factors related to necrotizing or non-necrotizing soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in a hospitalized patient population in Northeastern South America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients hospitalized with SSTIs between January 2011 and December 2016. The main factors related to necrotizing SSTIs (NSTIs) or non-necrotizing SSTIs were analyzed together or separately. RESULTS: Of 344 SSTI patients (161 [46.8%] non-necrotizing, 183 [53.2%] necrotizing), NSTI patients had a higher incidence of heart disease (P = 0.0081) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD; p < 0.001), more antibiotic use, and longer hospital stay (P < 0.001). NSTI was associated with a 9.58, 33.28, 2.34, and 2.27 times higher risk of PAD (confidence interval [CI] 3.69-24.87), amputation (7.97-139), complications (1.45-3.79), and death (1.2-4.26), respectively, than non-necrotizing SSTI. The risk factors associated with amputation were PAD (P < 0.001) and poor glycemic control during hospitalization (P = 0.0011). Factors associated with higher mortality were heart disease (P < 0.001), smoking (P = 0.0135), PAD (P = 0.001), chronic renal failure (P = 0.0039), poor glycemic control (P = 0.0005), and evolution to limb irreversibility (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with NSTI have greater illness severity, with a greater association with PAD and amputation. Patients with poor glycemic control more frequently underwent amputation and died.

Erisipela em mulheres com câncer de mama seguidas em um serviço de reabilitação / Erysipelas in women with breast cancer followed in a rehabilitation service

Estudo transversal que buscou analisar a ocorrência de erisipela em mulheres com câncer de mama. Foi desenvolvido em um núcleo de reabilitação e incluídas, por conveniência, 84 mulheres com câncer de mama. Observou-se que 19% das participantes apresentaram sinais e sintomas de erisipela. Os sinais mais prevalentes foram hiperemia da pele, calor local e dor (100%). Além disso, observou-se que 75% das participantes com erisipela também apresentavam linfedema (p<0,005). Entre as mulheres com linfedema e erisipela, observou-se que 83,3% apresentavam o linfedema previamente ao primeiro episódio de erisipela. A prevalência de erisipela entre mulheres com câncer de mama em reabilitação, apontou que dentre os fatores predisponentes desta patologia houve associação com a presença de linfedema. Dados que justificam a inclusão de medidas de prevenção do linfedema, como hidratação do membro superior homolateral à cirurgia e evitar traumas nos cuidados prestados às mulheres com câncer de mama, prevenindo também a erisipela.

A cross-sectional study that analyzed the occurence of erysipelas in women with breast cancer. It was conducted in a rehabilitation center, and 84 women with breast cancer were included by convenience. It was observed that 19% of women had signs and symptoms of erysipelas. The most prevalent signs were skin hyperemia, local heat, and pain (100%). Moreover, 75% of participants with erysipelas also had lymphedema (p<0.005). Among women with lymphedema and erysipelas, 83.8% had the lymphedema before erysipelas. The prevalence of erysipelas among women with breast cancer in rehabilitation pointed that within the predisposing factors of this pathology, there was an association with the presence of lymphedema. This data justify the inclusion of prevention measures for lymphedema, such as hydration of the superior limb homolateral to the surgery and to avoid trauma in the care provided to women with breast cancer, also preventing erysipelas.

Unsuspected Stewart-Treves syndrome clinically mimicked by apparent bullous erysipelas and a systematic review of dermatological presentations of the classical Stewart-Treves syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Stewart Treves-Syndrome (STS) was first characterized as angiosarcoma in the homolateral limb of a patient with breast cancer and lymphedema. Now, other conditions represent STS. It's a rare condition. The diagnosis is easier in the presence of single or multiple purple nodules. Even though other dermatological aspects have been reported, no study has grouped its characteristics. AIM: Evaluate the dermatological characteristics of classical STS (c-STS). METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a patient with chronic lymphedema with a history of recurrent erysipelas that rapidly developed multiple papules in the superior limb. It was initially diagnosed as bullous erysipelas, but unsatisfactory evolution led to biopsy, which demonstrated an unsuspected epithelioid angiosarcoma. We have also performed a review of dermatologic aspects of c-STS using PubMed and Lilacs databases. PICTOS methodology and PRISMA flow chart were considered. The main dermatological aspects associated with c-CTS were summarized. Using a systematic evaluation from 109 articles, 29 were selected and 44 patients were described to whom we added one case. The mean time with lymphedema was 10 years. Of the patients analyzed, 97.2% were female; 95.6% were submitted to radical mastectomy; 81.2% presented with multiple lesions, 67.4% of the lesions were reported as nodules or tumors, 53.4% were purple, 33.4% were associated with an ecchymotic halo, and 33.4% were ulcerated lesions. CONCLUSION: When evaluating patients with chronic lymphedema with new dermatological abnormalities, clinical suspicion, or unfavorable evolution, the knowledge of clinical signs is important for diagnosis, and a biopsy must be considered. Papules associated with erythematous-wine color and bluish hematoma aspect must raise clinical suspicion.

An Update on the Treatment and Management of Cellulitis. / Actualización en el abordaje y manejo de celulitis.

Cellulitis and erysipelas are local soft tissue infections that occur following the entry of bacteria through a disrupted skin barrier. These infections are relatively common and early diagnosis is essential to treatment success. As dermatologists, we need to be familiar with the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of these infections. In this article, we provide a review of the literature and update on clinical manifestations, predisposing factors, microbiology, diagnosis, treatment, and complications. We also review the current situation in Chile.

Infecciones de piel y partes blandas

RESUMEN Introducción: las infecciones de piel y partes blandas (IPPB) son motivo de consulta frecuente y el espectro clínico va desde procesos banales hasta letales. En los últimos años, el Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente ha sido el principal agente causal. Objetivos: determinar las características clínicas y microbiológicas de IPPB provenientes de la comunidad, aplicar regla de Shapiro para calcular la rentabilidad de los cultivos. Metodología: diseño observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo, que incluyó a 181 pacientes adultos internados en el Servicio de Clínica Médica del Hospital Nacional (Itauguá, Paraguay) durante 2015 y 2016. Resultados: la edad media fue 56 años, hubo predominio de sexo masculino (57%). La IPPB más frecuentemente diagnosticada fue la celulitis: 106 pacientes (59%), seguido por fascitis necrotizante 61 (34%). La comorbilidad más frecuente fue la diabetes mellitus tipo 2. El Staphylococcus aureus fue el germen más frecuentemente aislado. Relacionando a los pacientes según el resultado de hemocultivo y la regla de Shapiro, los pacientes que tuvieron puntajes mayores a 5 tuvieron mayor reporte de hemocultivos positivos. Presentaron sepsis 85 pacientes, requirieron intervención quirúrgica 44% y fallecieron 5 sujetos. Conclusiones: la celulitis fue la IPPB más frecuente, la mayoría causada por Staphylococcus aureus. La diabetes mellitus fue la comorbilidad más frecuente. La aplicación de la regla de Shapiro para la selección de pacientes a quienes realizar hemocultivos mejoraría su rentabilidad.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Skin and soft tissues infections (SSTI) are common reasons for consulting and the clinical spectrum ranges from trivial to lethal processes. In the last years, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus has been the main causative agent. Objectives: To determine the clinical and microbiological characteristics of SSTI from the community and apply Shapiro rule to calculate the profitability of cultures. Methodology: Observational descriptive and prospective design that included 181 adult patients admitted in the Clinical Service of the National Hospital (Itauguá, Paraguay) during 2015 and 2016. Results: Mean age was 56 years and there was a predominance of male sex (57%). The most frequently diagnosed SSTI was cellulitis: 106 (59%) patients followed by 61 (34%) patients with necrotizing fasciitis. The most frequent comorbidity was type 2 diabetes mellitus. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated bacteria. Relating patients according to the blood culture results and Shapiro rule, the patients who scored higher than 5 had more reports of positive blood cultures. Eighty five patients presented sepsis, 44% required surgical intervention and 5 died. Conclusions: Cellulitis was the most frequent SSTI and most infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Diabetes mellitus was the most frquent comorbidity. The application of Shapiro rule for the selection of patients who should have blood cultures will improve their profitability.

Assistência de enfermagem a um paciente com integridade da pele prejudicada relacionada à erisipela: relato de experiência / Nursing assistance to a patient with impaired skin integrity related to erysipelas: experience reporting

Erisipela é um processo infeccioso cutâneo causado por uma bactéria que se propaga pelos vasos linfáticos. Há a veemência em realizar uma orientação adequada quanto ao reconhecimento do problema, ao seguimento do tratamento e aos cuidados com a prevenção das complicações. Este é um relato de experiência de Enfermeiras residentes em Alta Complexidade de um Hospital Universitário do Nordeste do Brasil, na assistência a um paciente com integridade da pele prejudicada relacionada à erisipela. Foi realizado acompanhamento do paciente no período de maio a agosto de 2015, em que foi utilizado diferentes técnicas para tratamento e o mesmo evoluiu com cicatrização e cura da lesão. Possibilitou o crescimento técnico-científico dos profissionais assim como da abordagem da experiência para demais equipes promotoras de cuidado com o paciente. Descritores: Cuidado de Enfermagem; Erisipela; Lesão de Pele.

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Un proceso de la erisipela de Ia piei y infecciosa causada por una bacteria se propaga cola para los vasos linfáticos. Hay una vehemencia de conducta orientación adecuada para el reconocimiento por hacer problema, ao seguimiento de tratamiento y atención a la prevención de complicaciones. Esto y a enfermeras relato de experiencia residentes de alta dei hospital dei noreste de Brasil, mantenimiento universidad complejidad zumbido y zumbido con el paciente integridad de la piei relacionados con la erisipela con discapacidad. Se Ilevó a cabo la monitorización dei paciente cualquier período de mayo a agosto, 2015, estábamos en que diferentes técnicas utilizadas tratamiento párrafo e incluso evolucionamos con la formación de cicatrices y la curación de la lesión. El posible crecimiento de los profesionales científicos técnicos, así como enfoque experiencia párrafo también equipos que promueven el cuidado dei paciente.

Zoonotic diseases from poultry

A wide variety of zoonotic disease risks exists in poultry. Popularity of backyard and smaller production flocks is increasing, as is public concern about global poultry disease events. This paper discusses several of the more common poultry zoonotic diseases, their prevalence and presentation in both poultry and humans.

Zoonotic diseases from poultry

A wide variety of zoonotic disease risks exists in poultry. Popularity of backyard and smaller production flocks is increasing, as is public concern about global poultry disease events. This paper discusses several of the more common poultry zoonotic diseases, their prevalence and presentation in both poultry and humans.(AU)

Dermatologia comparativa: similaridade entre elefantíase nostra verrucosa e coral / Comparative dermatology: elephantiasis nostra in verrucous form comparable to coral

Demonstra-se quadro raro de Elefantíase Nostra, na sua forma verrucosa, no dorso de pé de homem de 80 anos por episódios prévios de erisipela de repetição. As lesões confluentes vegetantes e difusas em dorso de pé são comparáveis aos corais Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea curvata).

Study of a rare case of Elephantiasis Nostra in verrucous form on the dorsum of the foot of an 80year-old male with a history of recurrent erysipelas infection. The vegetant, confluent lesions on the foot resemble Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea curvata).

Las epidemias de erisipela en Chile / Erysipelas outbreaks in Chile

Historical antecedents of erysipelas outbreaks in Chile, registered by national bibliography at years 1822 and 1873 are reviewed. The first one, after an earthquake, with numerous severe ataxo-adynamic manifestations and the second, more attenuated with few severe cases. Remembers of treatments utilized at XIX Century for the disease and the beginning of sulphamides prescription at the thirty decade are presented. Afterwards penicillin and other antimicrobial agents treatments were implemented. Finally, we comment the severe presentation of soft tissues streptococcal diseases that appeared in the end of XX Century.

Se revisa los antecedentes históricos de las epidemias de erisipela en Chile, que anota la bibliografía nacional, en los años 1822 y 1873. La primera, a continuación de un terremoto, con numerosas formas graves ataxo-adinámicas y la segunda, más benigna, con pocos casos graves. Se recuerda los tratamientos de la enfermedad utilizados en el siglo XIX y la iniciación de los antimicrobianos sulfamidados, en la década de los años 30. Posteriormente penicilina y otros antimicrobianos. Finalmente, se comenta la gravedad emergente de las infecciones estreptocóccicas de tejidos blandos, en los últimos años del siglo XX.

Monitoria da erisipela suína por análises bacteriológicas e moleculares em suínos de abate de granjas do rio grande do sul

ABSTRACT The objective of the present work was to detect Erysipelothrix spp in slaughtered pigs, from erysipelasvaccinated and nonvaccinated herds, developing nested PCR based on the amplification of the surface protective antigen (spa A) gene specific for E. rhusiopathiae. Samples of Erysipelothrix spp. were isolated from the tonsils of slaughtered pigs in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, respectively 13 (4.7%) from vaccinated (total of 275 tonsils examined) and 43 (43%) from nonvaccinated pigs (100 tonsils examined). Also 1 isolate from a skin lesion was obtained from the abattoir. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae isolated from vaccinated pigs (8 samples) were identified by phenotypic characteristics and by nested PCR. Identical results were obtained by serological classification, showing the usefulness of the molecular test. Nineteen strains isolated from nonvaccinated pigs were examined by serology and PCR. Results for both tests identified serotype 2 of E. rhusiopathiae in 9 samples, there being 7 nonreactors to the tests. Three isolates were positive only by PCR and negative by the immunodiffusion test.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar a presença de Erysipelothrix spp. em suínos abatidos em frigorífico, procedentes de granjas que usam ou não a vacinação e desenvolver técnica de nested PCR baseada na amplificação do gene do antígeno protetor de superfície (spaA) específico de Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae e testar a sua utilização na análise de culturas padrão. Foram isoladas 56 (14,9%) amostras de Erysipelothrix spp. de tonsilas de suínos abatidos em frigorífico no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, sendo 13/275 de suínos vacinados (4,7%) entre 275 tonsilas e 43/100 de suínos não vacinados (43%), bem como foi obtido um isolado de lesão de pele também colhida em frigorífico. Os micro-organismos foram identificados por características fenotípicas por meio de exame bacteriológico e foi realizado teste de nested PCR em 13 isolados de suínos procedentes de granjas que utilizavam vacinação contra a erisipela suína, sendo positivo para 8 isolados, classificados como E. rhusiopathiae. As oito amostras confirmaram a classificação como E. rhusiopathiae também por exames sorológicos. Entre as amostras isoladas de suínos não vacinados, foram testados, por sorologia e PCR, 19 cultivos de Erysipelothrix spp., sendo classificados 9 como E. rhusiopathiae por ambos os testes, todos do sorotipo 2 e 7 negativos. Três isolados de Erysipelothrix sp. foram positivos somente por PCR e negativos por imunodifusão para os sorotipos 1A, 1B e 2, que são os encontrados com maior frequência em casos clínicos de erisipela suína.