Erysipelas with preferential brain and skin involvement in a Mediterranean bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus.

Infections by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae occur in domestic animals and cause the disease known as 'erysipelas'. The ubiquity of Erysipelothrix spp. makes infection possible in a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates. Cetaceans are highly susceptible to erysipelas, especially those under human care. The number of cases documented in wild cetaceans is low, the pathogenesis is incompletely understood, and the full spectrum of lesions is not well defined. The possible serotypes and species of the genus that can cause disease are unknown. In October 2022, a common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus stranded in Vilassar de Mar (Catalonia) showing skin lesions consistent with 'diamond skin disease', a characteristic lesion of erysipelas shared by swine and cetaceans. Necropsy was performed following standardized procedures, and multiple samples were taken for histopathology and bacteriology. Erysipelothrix sp. grew in pure culture in many tissue samples. Genetic characterization by multi-locus sequence analysis identified the species as E. rhusiopathiae. Histologically, the main lesions were an intense suppurative vasculitis of leptomeningeal arteries and veins with abundant intramural Gram-positive bacilli and meningeal hemorrhages. Meningeal lesions were considered the cause of death. The affected skin showed moderate suppurative dermatitis. Herein we document a case of erysipelas in a Mediterranean common bottlenose dolphin with unusual lesions in the leptomeningeal vessels and marked skin tropism. To our knowledge, this is the first case of severe brain involvement in erysipelas in a cetacean. We also provide a review of available cases in wild cetaceans, to highlight the characteristics of the disease and improve future diagnosis.

An unusual outbreak of erysipelas on a goat farm in Pennsylvania.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection and septicemia occurred in a 5-d old Boer goat found dead on a farm in western Pennsylvania. On autopsy, there was moderate, focally extensive hemorrhage along the remnants of the urachus and umbilical arteries and the apex of the urinary bladder. Microscopic examination of immunohistochemical stained tissues revealed abundant intracellular and extracellular E. rhusiopathiae antigen-positive bacilli in all tissues stained, including lung, heart, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, and thymus. Bacteria isolated from liver and urachus were identified as E. rhusiopathiae by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and further confirmed by a PCR assay. An epidemiologic investigation was conducted via an on-farm questionnaire after the owners noted a 70% mortality rate from the 2019 kidding season. The epidemiologic investigation showed that E. rhusiopathiae, an opportunistic zoonotic organism, was introduced to the farm through a breach in biosecurity and was likely perpetuated among the resident poultry species.

Effects of the microencapsulated feed additive of lactic acid bacteria on production parameters and post-vaccinal immune response in pigs.

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of feed addition of LAVIPAN PL5 probiotic preparation containing compositions of microencapsulated lactic acid bacteria (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus pentosaceus) on production parameters and post-vaccinal immune response in pigs under field condition. The study was performed on 400 pigs in total and 60 pigs from this group were used to evaluate the effect of the product tested on the post-vaccinal response. The animals were divided into two groups: control group, fed without additive of LAVIPAN PL5 and the study group, receiving LAVIPAN PL5 at doses recommended by manufacturer from weaning to the end of fattening. The following parameters were recorded: main production parameters, including weight gains, fattening time (slaughter age) and animal health status during the study (mortality), and specific humoral post-vaccinal response after vaccination against swine erysipelas. The results indicate that the application of LAVIPAN PL5 had positive influence on the animals` productivity and did not significantly affect the post-vaccinal antibody levels and the development and maintenance of the post-vaccinal response, albeit the levels of antibodies were slightly higher in the animal receiving the test preparation. The higher average daily weight gains (by over 3%) which resulted in a 2 kg higher average weight at slaughter and a reduction of the fattening period by 5 days, undoubtedly contributed to significant economic benefits.

Single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae isolates from pigs affected with chronic erysipelas in Japan.

Over the past decades, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains displaying similar phenotypic and genetic profiles of the attenuated, acriflavine-resistant E. rhusiopathiae Koganei 65-0.15 strain (serovar 1a) have been frequently isolated from pigs affected with chronic erysipelas in Japan. In this study, using the conventional PCR assay that was designed to detect strain-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites found in the genome of the vaccine strain, we analyzed E. rhusiopathiae isolates from pigs with chronic disease in farms where the Koganei vaccine was used. Out of a total of 155 isolates, 101 isolates (65.2%) were determined to be the vaccine strain by SNP-based PCR. Among the 101 PCR-positive isolates, four isolates were found to be sensitive to acriflavine.

Genomic and proteomic characterization of SE-I, a temperate bacteriophage infecting Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.

A bacteriophage infecting pathogenic Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from a swine farm experiencing an outbreak of acute swine erysipelas; we designated this phage SE-I. SE-I has an icosahedral head, a long tail and a double-stranded DNA genome. The 34,997-bp genome has a GC content of 34 % and contains 43 open reading frames (ORFs) encoding packaging, structural, lysin-holin, and hypothetical proteins. Components of purified SE-I were separated using SDS-PAGE and analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nine proteins were identified, encoded by ORF9, ORF15, ORF23, ORF30, ORF31, ORF33, ORF39, ORF40 and ORF 42. A phylogenetic tree constructed based on the sequence of the large terminase subunit revealed that SE-I is closely related to Staphylococcus phages P954 and phi3396. The CHAP-domain-containing protein encoded by ORF25 was expressed in E. coli and which was able to inactivate host bacteria. SE-I was able to infect 7 of 13 E. rhusiopathiae strains, but was unable to infect Salmonella, Streptococcus suis, and Staphylococcus aureus. This is the first report of the isolation, characterization, and genomic and proteomic analysis of a temperate phage infecting E. rhusiopathiae, and it might lead to the development of new anti- E. rhusiopathiae agents.

Erysipelas in turkeys, sheep and pigs.

Erysipelas diagnosed in turkeys, sheep and pigs. Parasitic gastroenteritis reported in cattle on several farms. Unusual presentation of Actinobacillus suis causing spinal abscesses in pigs on a breeder-finisher unit. First APHA diagnosis of oedema disease in pigs in East Anglia for many years. Infectious coryza confirmed in a hobby breeding flock. These are among matters discussed in the Animal and Plant Health Agency's (APHA's) disease surveillance report for November 2014.

Erysipelas in a free-range layer flock with conjunctival oedema as an unusual clinical sign.

Erysipelas was diagnosed in a free-range laying flock with a high mortality of up to 7% per day and a severe decrease in egg production to 45%. The disease had a short course and unusual clinical features for erysipelas, including swollen, lacrimating and encrusted eyes. Bacteriologically, trapped poultry red mites and affected animals were culture-positive for Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Isolates from layers and mites were both serotype 1b. Histopathology revealed disseminated intravasal coagulopathy in conjunctival small vessels as the cause of the oedema of the eye adnexes. After treatment with penicillin, mortality and egg production returned to normal levels. Although erysipelas in laying hens is rarely reported, it can develop as an emerging disease in alternative rearing systems and should always be considered if mortality increases in an older flock, especially with a high infestation of poultry red mites.

Erysipelas in laying hens is associated with housing system.

Following the change from conventional cages to non-cage housing systems and furnished cages, which in Sweden was finalised by 2005, problems caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae increased in laying hen flocks. This study aimed to investigate possible associations between housing systems for laying hens and outbreaks of erysipelas. Also, sera from 129 flocks in different housing systems, collected during 2005-2007, were analysed for the presence of antibodies to E rhusiopathiae using an indirect ELISA test. Antibodies were detected in all housing systems. The mean flock absorbance values from free-range flocks were significantly higher than corresponding values from other housing systems. Data on the Swedish laying hen population were compared with the recorded number of erysipelas outbreaks during 1998-2011. Outbreaks occurred on 15 farms with indoor litter-based systems (n=87 farms in 2011). No outbreak was diagnosed on farms with flocks in conventional or furnished cages. The results indicate that the risk for an outbreak was higher in free-range systems than in indoor litter-based systems, and lowest for flocks housed in cages. Absence of erysipelas in the majority of subsequent flocks on the affected farms suggested that proper measures, including vaccination, were undertaken.

Characterization of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains isolated from recent swine erysipelas outbreaks in Japan.

The objective of the present study was to characterize Erysipelothrix sp. strains from recent erysipelas outbreaks in Japan. Eighty-three (100%) strains were identified as E. rhusiopathiae, based on serotyping and spaA PCR. Fifty (60.3%), 5 (6.0%), and 28 (33.7%) strains were isolated from animals with acute, subacute and chronic outbreaks, respectively, of which 79 (95.2%), 1 (1.2%), and 3 (3.6%) belonged to serotypes 1a, 2a, and untypeable, respectively. Fifteen strains (including 3, 2, and 10 from acute, subacute, and chronic cases, respectively) were sensitive to acriflavine, and showed high levels of virulence in mice; of which strains from acute cases, and from subacute and chronic cases killed 100%, and 80 to 100% mice, respectively at challenge doses of 10(2) CFU per mouse. Based on sequence analysis of a 432-bp hypervariable region in spaA gene, 83 strains could be divided into 3 groups: (i) group 1 (3 strains of serotype 1a) had Ala-195 and Ile-203; (ii) group 2 (76 strains of serotype 1a and 3 of untypeable) had Asp-195 and Met-203; and (iii) group 3 (one strain of serotype 2a) had Asn-195 and Ile-203. The results of the present study suggest that the serotype 1a strains belonging to the group 2 might be widespread in pig populations in Japan.

Erysipelas in the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus).

This paper describes the effect of a disease outbreak on the success of a translocation for conservation management in a critically endangered species. Three juvenile kakapo from a group of 19 translocated birds died within 72 h of transport between New Zealand offshore islands. Clinical findings, gross necropsy changes, cytology, histopathology and bacterial culture confirmed systemic disease caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. On the island from which the kakapo were sourced, positive cultures of E. rhusiopathiae were obtained from the medulla of the ulna from 10 out of 15 seabird carcasses examined, suggesting that this could be the source of infection for the kakapo. Immediately after the diagnosis, all of the translocated birds were re-captured and treated with antibiotics. A vaccination programme has commenced using a commercial killed bacterin developed for turkeys. The disease outbreak has had costly implications for the population and conservation management of the species. This is the first report of erysipelas in wild parrots, and the first report of the management of erysipelas in a critically endangered wild population of birds.

An outbreak of erysipelas in 2-day-old poults.

Systemic erysipelas infection was seen in 2-to-4-day-old poults from three separate ranches owned by the same company. The affected poults were all from the same breeder source; poults from other breeder sources were seemingly unaffected. Mortality increased on days 2 and 3, ranging from 2% to 8.5%. Birds submitted were dehydrated and very weak, with one half of the poults submitted having died during transport to the lab. Gross lesions included swollen, congested livers and spleens, as well as hemorrhagic breast muscle in one case. Toes were swollen and reddish-purple in color. The poults had been toe-trimmed during hatchery processing using a commercial microwave. Histologically, periportal inflammation with heterophilic infiltration in the liver was noted. Spleens showed hyalinization of arteries, lymphoid depletion, and necrosis. Toe joints showed purulent synovitis and cellulitis. Gram stains done on impression smears of liver and spleen showed rare to moderate numbers of small gram-positive rods. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from 18 of 22 livers cultured, five of six toe joints cultured, and from the yolk sac in two birds.

Erysipelas in a free-ranging Hawaiian crow (Corvus hawaiiensis).

We describe a case of erysipelas in a free-ranging endangered Hawaiian crow. The partially scavenged carcass exhibited gross emaciation and petechial hemorrhages in both lungs. Microscopy revealed multiple necrotic foci associated with gram-positive rods in the liver and adrenal, diffuse acute proximal tubular necrosis of kidney, diffuse necrosis and inflammation of proventricular mucosa associated with gram-positive rods, and multiple intravascular aggregates of gram-positive rods associated with thrombi. Culture of the kidney revealed the bacterium to be Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. The implications of this finding to free-ranging crows remain unclear.

Erysipelas in quail and suspected erysipeloid in processing plant employees.

Erysipelas was diagnosed in two commercial breeder flocks of Coturnix quail and was characterized clinically by sudden mortality. At necropsy, lesions comprised generalized congestion, hemorrhages in the thigh and breast muscles, swelling of liver, spleen, and kidney, and dark red edematous lungs. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was cultured from visceral organs of affected birds. Medication with penicillin in the drinking water controlled the mortality. A possible source of infection was fish raised on the premises. Seven people at the quail processing plant developed localized inflammation of the fingers, which responded when antibiotic therapy for erysipeloid was initiated.