Erysipelothrix amsterdamensis sp. nov., associated with mortalities among endangered seabirds.

Infectious diseases threaten endangered species, particularly in small isolated populations. Seabird populations on the remote Amsterdam Island in the Indian Ocean have been in decline for the past three decades, with avian cholera caused by Pasteurella multocida proposed as the primary driver. However, Erysipelothrix species have also been sporadically detected from albatrosses on Amsterdam Island and may be contributing to some of the observed mortality. In this study, we genomically characterized 16 Erysipelothrix species isolates obtained from three Indian yellow-nosed albatross (Thalassarche carteri) chick carcasses in 2019. Histological analyses suggest that they died of bacterial septicaemia. Two isolates were sequenced using both Illumina short-read and MinION long-read approaches, which - following hybrid assembly - resulted in closed circular genomes. Mapping of Illumina reads from the remaining isolates to one of these new reference genomes revealed that all 16 isolates were closely related, with a maximum of 13 nucleotide differences distinguishing any pair of isolates. The nucleotide diversity of isolates obtained from the same or different carcasses was similar, suggesting all three chicks were likely infected from a common source. These genomes were compared with a global collection of genomes from Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and other species from the same genus. The isolates from albatrosses were phylogenetically distinct, sharing a most recent common ancestor with E. rhusiopathiae. Based on phylogenomic analysis and standard thresholds for average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization, these isolates represent a novel Erysipelothrix species, for which we propose the name Erysipelothrix amsterdamensis sp. nov. The type strain is A18Y020dT (=CIP 112216T=DSM 115297T). The implications of this bacterium for albatross conservation will require further study.

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.

Systemic Erysipelas Outbreak among Free-Ranging Bottlenose Dolphins, San Diego, California, USA, 2022.

We diagnosed fatal Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae sepsis in 3 stranded bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) during summer 2022, in San Diego, California, USA. The previously undetected disease in this relatively small, regional population of dolphins most likely indicates an environmental or biological change in the coastal ocean or organisms.

Immunogenicity and Protection by DnaK and SpaA Recombinant Proteins Against Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae in a Murine Model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Swine erysipelas is a disease caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, a Gram-positive bacillus, which has great economic importance because it leads to the loss of the swine herd. To control this disease, animals are immunized with a cellular vaccine of killed or attenuated E. rhusiopathiae, but even with herd vaccination, cases of swine erysipelas outbreaks have been reported in the United States, China and Japan, leading to the search for other antigenic components of the bacteria that may promote greater protection against E. rhusiopathiae. The surface protein SpaA from E. rhusiopathiae has been shown to be a candidate to constitute a subunit vaccine, since it has already been reported to induce a host immune response against the bacterium. DnaK, a hsp70 molecular chaperone, also seems to be a good candidate in the composition of a vaccine, as it has been demonstrated to be an antigenic protein of the bacteria. METHODS: This work evaluated the immunogenicity and protection induced by the E. rhusiopathiaee SpaA and DnaK recombinant proteins in a murine model, by intramuscular administration to mice with two doses of 100 µg at 21-day interval between them. The candidate proteins were tested either separately and together, compared with the commercial vaccine and the non-vaccination condition, and mice were challenged with a virulent strain of E. rhusiopathiae. Serum was collected to assess the produced antibodies and peripheral blood cells, whereas spleen and kidney tissues were assayed for E. rhusiopathiae presence by colony counting. RESULTS: A survival curve of the animals was performed, which confirmed the protection induced by the proteins. IgG antibodies increased in the animal serum inoculated with the proteins when compared to the control, and a significant delay in disease symptoms was observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that E. rhusiopathiae DnaK and SpaA are immunogenic in mice and interfere with the disease development.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae cellulitis with associated bacteraemia following seafood preparation.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a pleomorphic Gram-positive bacillus, zoonotic pathogen of mammals, birds and fish. Human disease caused by this organism most commonly occurs following occupational or recreational exposure to infected animals and typically presents as a localised cutaneous disease. Invasive infection resulting in bacteraemia, endocarditis or other distant sequelae is infrequently seen. Most commonly, invasive infection is seen in patients with predisposing risk factors including diabetes, immunocompromising conditions, alcohol use disorder or chronic kidney disease. The organism is highly susceptible to penicillin-class drugs which serve as first-line antimicrobial therapy with prolonged courses typically prescribed for invasive disease, given the predilection of this organism to cause endocarditis. In this report, we present an interesting case of a polymicrobial finger abscess with E. rhusiopathiae bacteraemia following laceration with a fish spine in an immunocompetent patient in Southern US state. This bacteraemic episode was successfully treated with a fluoroquinolone course owing to patient's penicillin allergy.

Disseminated Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae with Secondary Prosthetic Hip Joint Infection: A Case of Successful Identification and Management in a Regional Hospital.

CASE: This article reports a case of a 72-year-old man with bilateral total hip joint replacements who suffered cuts to his hands while butchering a wild boar. He presented to the emergency department with fevers and unilateral hip pain. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (E. rhusiopathiae) was isolated on hip aspirate and blood cultures. E. rhusiopathiae is a well-recognized zoonotic infection in humans, particularly in at-risk hosts, most commonly infecting swine. Infection is spread by ingestion or through skin abrasion. CONCLUSION: This illustrates an example of successful operative and perioperative management of prosthetic joint infection secondary to E. rhusiopathiae, particularly microbiological identification, within a multispecialty team of physicians and surgeons.

An integrative and multi-indicator approach for wildlife health applied to an endangered caribou herd.

Assessing wildlife health in remote regions requires a multi-faceted approach, which commonly involves convenient samplings and the need of identifying and targeting relevant and informative indicators. We applied a novel wildlife health framework and critically assessed the value of different indicators for understanding the health status and trends of an endangered tundra caribou population. Samples and data from the Dolphin and Union caribou herd were obtained between 2015 and 2021, from community-based surveillance programs and from captured animals. We documented and categorized indicators into health determinants (infectious diseases and trace elements), processes (cortisol, pathology), and health outcomes (pregnancy and body condition). During a recent period of steep population decline, our results indicated a relatively good body condition and pregnancy rates, and decreasing levels of stress, along with a low adult cow survival. We detected multiple factors as potential contributors to the reduced survival, including Brucella suis biovar 4, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and lower hair trace minerals. These results remark the need of targeted studies to improve detection and investigations on caribou mortalities. We also identified differences in health indicators between captured and hunter sampled caribou, highlighting the importance of accounting for sampling biases. This integrative approach that drew on multiple data sources has provided unprecedented knowledge on the health in this herd and highlights the value of documenting individual animal health to understand causes of wildlife declines.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Infection Associated with Swollen Head Syndrome in a Broiler Breeder Flock in North Georgia.

An unusual case of swollen head syndrome in a 55-wk-old broiler breeder flock was identified in north Georgia in the summer of 2019. The presenting complaint was elevated mortality and visibly swollen heads. Necropsy of affected birds on the farm primarily revealed signs of bacterial septicemia, with few large scab lesions near the vent area. Bacterial culture analysis identified multiple organisms, but the primary organism of interest was identified as Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, cultured from affected liver, lung, sinuses, and one swollen wattle of birds in the affected house. Histopathologic analysis identified gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria in the spleen and liver (consistent with bacterial septicemia) confirmed with special staining (Brown & Hopps Gram stain). These organisms were noted to be consistent with E. rhusiopathiae; E. rhusiopathiae infection in broiler breeder chickens is a rare occurrence and is primarily associated with turkeys and/or swine production systems.

Reporte de caso- Infección por Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae asociada con el síndrome de cabeza hinchada en un pollo de engorde. En el verano del 2019, se identificó un caso inusual de síndrome de cabeza hinchada en una parvada de reproductoras de pollos de engorde de 55 semanas de edad en el norte de Georgia. Las observaciones iniciales incluyeron mortalidad elevada y cabezas visiblemente inflamadas. La necropsia de las aves afectadas en la granja reveló principalmente signos de septicemia bacteriana, con pocas lesiones costrosas grandes cerca del área de extractores de la ventilación. El análisis de cultivos bacterianos identificó múltiples organismos, pero el principal organismo de interés fue identificado como Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, cultivado a partir de hígado, pulmón, senos paranasales y de una barbilla inflamada de aves en la caseta afectada. El análisis histopatológico identificó bacterias grampositivas en forma de bastón en el bazo y el hígado (compatibles con septicemia bacteriana) confirmadas con tinción especial (tinción de Gram de Brown y Hopps). Se observó que estos organismos eran compatibles con E. rhusiopathiae; La infección por E. rhusiopathiae en pollos de engorde se presenta de forma esporádica y se asocia principalmente con sistemas de producción de pavos y/o cerdos.

Harbor Porpoise Deaths Associated with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, the Netherlands, 2021.

In August 2021, a large-scale mortality event affected harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Netherlands. Pathology and ancillary testing of 22 animals indicated that the most likely cause of death was Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection. This zoonotic agent poses a health hazard for cetaceans and possibly for persons handling cetacean carcasses.

Endocarditis infecciosa con compromiso bivalvular por Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae / Infective endocarditis with bivalvular involvement due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Report of one case

The microbiology of infective endocarditis (IE) varies in different populations and depends on public health conditions and socioeconomic status. In low-income countries, oral Streptococci affect hearts with rheumatic valve disease in patients with poor dentition. In high-income countries, Staphylococci are the most common cause, affecting elderly and immunocompromised patients, or those with invasive devices. Gram - positive bacili as IE pathogens are unusual. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a Gram positive bacili. It causes skin diseases in domestic and farm animals, but in humans, is a very unusual pathogen. This infection is considered a zoonosis, since most cases are linked to direct contact with vector animals. We report a 62 year-old male patient with a history of exposure to animals, who developed an infective endocarditis with severe bivalve regurgitation and septic shock, requiring antimicrobials and surgical resolution. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from blood and valve vegetation cultures. The patient had a successful evolution and was discharged from the hospital.

[Infective endocarditis with bivalvular involvement due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Report of one case]. / Endocarditis infecciosa con compromiso bivalvular por Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.

The microbiology of infective endocarditis (IE) varies in different populations and depends on public health conditions and socioeconomic status. In low-income countries, oral Streptococci affect hearts with rheumatic valve disease in patients with poor dentition. In high-income countries, Staphylococci are the most common cause, affecting elderly and immunocompromised patients, or those with invasive devices. Gram - positive bacili as IE pathogens are unusual. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a Gram positive bacili. It causes skin diseases in domestic and farm animals, but in humans, is a very unusual pathogen. This infection is considered a zoonosis, since most cases are linked to direct contact with vector animals. We report a 62 year-old male patient with a history of exposure to animals, who developed an infective endocarditis with severe bivalve regurgitation and septic shock, requiring antimicrobials and surgical resolution. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from blood and valve vegetation cultures. The patient had a successful evolution and was discharged from the hospital.

Rational Design of Live-Attenuated Vaccines against Genome-Reduced Pathogens.

To develop safe and highly effective live vaccines, rational vaccine design is necessary. Here, we sought a simple approach to rationally develop a safe attenuated vaccine against the genome-reduced pathogen Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. We examined the mRNA expression of all conserved amino acid biosynthetic genes remaining in the genome after the reductive evolution of E. rhusiopathiae. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that half of the 14 genes examined were upregulated during the infection of murine J774A.1 macrophages. Gene deletion was possible only for three proline biosynthesis genes, proB, proA, and proC, the last of which was upregulated 29-fold during infection. Five mutants bearing an in-frame deletion of one (ΔproB, ΔproA, or ΔproC mutant), two (ΔproBA mutant), or three (ΔproBAC mutant) genes exhibited attenuated growth during J774A.1 infection, and the attenuation and vaccine efficacy of these mutants were confirmed in mice and pigs. Thus, for the rational design of live vaccines against genome-reduced bacteria, the selective targeting of genes that escaped chromosomal deletions during evolution may be a simple approach for identifying genes which are specifically upregulated during infection. IMPORTANCE Identification of bacterial genes that are specifically upregulated during infection can lead to the rational construction of live vaccines. For this purpose, genome-based approaches, including DNA microarray analysis and IVET (in vivo expression technology), have been used so far; however, these methods can become laborious and time-consuming. In this study, we used a simple in silico approach and showed that in genome-reduced bacteria, the genes which evolutionarily remained conserved for metabolic adaptations during infection may be the best targets for the deletion and construction of live vaccines.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae-specific T-cell responses after experimental infection of chickens selectively bred for high and low serum levels of mannose-binding lectin.

Erysipelas, caused by infection with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (ER) is an important emerging disease in laying hens. We have earlier observed prominent mannose-binding lectin (MBL) acute phase responses in experimentally ER infected chickens. The present study aimed to further examine immune responses to ER by using chickens selectively bred for high (L10H) and low (L10L) serum MBL levels. Chickens were infected with ER at 3 weeks of age and immune parameters and bacterial load were monitored in blood until day 18 after infection. Blood and spleen leukocytes collected on day 18 were stimulated in vitro with ER antigens and blast transformation of different T-cell populations was assessed. The ER infection gave a very varied outcome and no clear differences were observed between L10H and L10L chickens with respect to leukocyte counts, bacterial load or clinical outcome. Nonetheless, rapid innate responses, e.g., heterophilia and increased serum MBL levels were noted in bacteraemic chickens. All ER infected chickens also showed transient increased expression of mannose receptor MRC1L-B and decreased expression of major histocompatibility complex II on monocytes day 1 after infection indicating monocyte activation or relocation. In vitro ER stimulation showed antigen specific blast transformation of CD4+, TCRγ/δ-CD8αß+ and TCRγ/δ+CD8αß+ spleen cells from all infected chickens. For CD4+ and TCRγ/δ-CD8αß+ cells the proportions of blast transformed cells were significantly higher for samples from L10L chickens than those for samples from L10H chickens. This is the first observation of ER-specific T-cells in chickens and interestingly a Th1-type response comprising cytotoxic T-cells was indicated.

Human Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection via bath water - case report and genome announcement.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a facultative anaerobic, environmentally stable, Gram-positive rod that causes swine and avian erysipelas as a zoonotic pathogen. In humans, the main manifestations described are circumscribed erysipeloid, generalized erysipeloid, and endocarditis. Here, we report a 46-year-old female patient who presented to the physician because of redness and marked functio laesa of the hand, in terms of a pain-related restricted range of motion, and was treated surgically. E. rhusopathiae was detected in tissue biopsy. The source of infection was considered to be a pond in which both swine and, later, her dog bathed. The genome of the isolate was completely sequenced and especially the presumptive virulence associated factors as well as the presumptive antimicrobial resistance genes, in particular a predicted homologue to the multiple sugar metabolism regulator (MsmR), several predicted two-component signal transduction systems, three predicted hemolysins, two predicted neuraminidases, three predicted hyaluronate lyases, the surface protective antigen SpaA, a subset of predicted enzymes that potentially confer resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS), several predicted phospholipases that could play a role in the escape from phagolysosomes into host cell cytoplasm as well as a predicted vancomycin resistance locus (vex23-vncRS) and three predicted MATE efflux transporters were investigated in more detail.

[Sacroiliitis with Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae revealing tricuspid endocarditis, the first case reported on the Guiana Shield: clinical case and review of the literature]. / Sacro-Iliite à Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae révélant une endocardite tricuspide, premier cas rapporté sur le bouclier des Guyanes : cas clinique et revue de la littérature.

We report here an atypical case of acute sacroiliitis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae revealing tricuspid endocarditis in a 53-year-old woman without medical history. She was admitted to Cayenne hospital because of intense right hip and thigh pain, associated with fever. A right sacroiliitis was visible on the computed tomography (CT) scan, confirmed on MRI. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a large mobile tricuspid vegetation. Blood cultures were positive for E. rhusiopathiae. CT scan showed pulmonary alveolar opacities, consistent with septic emboli. Clinical improvement was obtained under ceftriaxone followed by ciprofloxacin for 6 weeks of treatment. We present a review of bone and joint infections caused by E. rhusiopathiae. So far, not a single case has been reported in Latin America.

A recurrent prosthetic joint infection caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: case report and literature review.

Prosthetic knee joint infection caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is uncommon and only one case of recurrent infection has previously been described. Here, we describe the case of a 77-year-old male patient who was admitted to the teaching hospital of Rennes (France) with bilateral and nocturnal gonalgia evolving for 1 month. He had bilateral knee prosthesis 10 years ago, and a history of large B-cell lymphoma in remission. A diagnosis of infective endocarditis, with prosthetic knee infection, was made, with positive cultures of synovial fluids and blood; colonies of E. rhusiopathiae were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Initial treatment involved debridement, implant retention surgery and intravenous amoxicillin (12 g day-1) for 6 weeks with gentamicin 3 mg kg-1 day-1 added for the first 4 days. One year later, a second episode of E. rhusiopathiae infection occurred, suggesting a recurrence or reinfection due to the same bacterial species. The patient was finally cured after a two-stage exchange with a cemented articulated spacer and a 3 month course of amoxicillin (12 g day-1, iv). Different characteristics of E. rhusiopathiae infection were discussed, with a review of all cases of prosthetic joint infections caused by Erysipelothrix species. This case highlights the need for a long-term survey of patients, and a good knowledge of their environment to avoid any risk of reinfection.

Erysipelas in a stranded common bottlenose dolphin: first report in a South American odontocete.

Erysipelas is a zoonotic disease caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. In cetaceans, this disease has two main clinical forms: a cutaneous one, grossly characterized by rhomboid lesions, and a septicemic and often fatal form. Erysipelas is considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in captive cetaceans; however, information in free-ranging cetaceans is limited. An adult common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found dead and in advanced autolysis in Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil, on July 19th, 2020. Upon gross examination, 80% of the body surface presented disseminated rhomboid cutaneous lesions ranging from 4 to 6 cm-width, characterized by well-defined edges and occasional ulceration, consistent with erysipelas. Additionally, anthropic-made postmortem linear cuts and partial mechanical removal of the flank musculature were noted. Skin samples were collected for histopathologic and molecular analyses. Microscopically, it was possible to observe multifocal dermatitis with vasculitis. Erysipelothrix sp. was detected by PCR. Despite previous reports of human consumption of cetacean meat in northeastern Brazil, the observed marks and advanced carcass autolysis suggested that the animal was most likely used as bait for fishing instead of human intake. This case highlights the value of postmortem examination and PCR even in poorly preserved cadavers and contributes to the understanding of the epidemiology of cutaneous erysipelas in free-ranging cetaceans (first report in an odontocete from the Southern Hemisphere). Due to the zoonotic potential of certain Erysipelothrix species (i.e., E. rhusiopathiae), active public health policies are required to inform field professionals and the general public about the health threats associated with marine mammal manipulation and consumption.

Association of Environmental Factors with Seasonal Intensity of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Seropositivity among Arctic Caribou.

Several caribou (Rangifer tarandus) populations have been declining concurrently with increases in infectious diseases in the Arctic. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, a zoonotic bacterium, was first described in 2015 as a notable cause of illness and death among several Arctic wildlife species. We investigated epidemiologic and environmental factors associated with the seroprevalence of E. rhusiopathiae in the Arctic and found that seropositivity was highest during warmer months, peaking in September, and was highest among adult males. Summer seroprevalence increases tracked with the oestrid index from the previous year, icing and snowing events, and precipitation from the same year but decreased with growing degree days in the same year. Seroprevalence of E. rhusiopathiae varied more during the later years of the study. Our findings provide key insights into the influence of environmental factors on disease prevalence that can be instrumental for anticipating and mitigating diseases associated with climate change among Arctic wildlife and human populations.

Erysipelothrix anatis sp. nov., Erysipelothrix aquatica sp. nov. and Erysipelothrix urinaevulpis sp. nov., three novel species of the genus, and emended description of Erysipelothrix.

Seven genotypically distinct strains assigned to the genus Erysipelothrix were isolated in different laboratories from several animal sources. Strain D17_0559-3-2-1T and three further strains were isolated from samples of duck, pig and goose. The strains had >99 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to each other and to strain VA92-K48T and two further strains isolated from samples of medical leech and a turtle. The closest related type strains to the seven strains were those of Erysipelothrix inopinata (96.74 %) and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (95.93 %). Average nucleotide identity, amino acid identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization results showed that the strains represented two separate novel species. One further phylogenetically distinct strain (165301687T) was isolated from fox urine. The strain had highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of Erysipelothrix tonsillarum (95.67 %), followed by Erysipelothrix piscisicarius (95.58 %) and Erysipelothrix larvae (94.22 %) and represented a further novel species. Chemotaxonomic and physiological data of the novel strains were assessed, but failed to unequivocally differentiate the novel species from existing members of the genus. MALDI-TOF MS data proved the discrimination of at least strain 165301687T from all currently described species. Based on the presented phylogenomic and physiological data, we propose three novel species, Erysipelothrix anatis sp. nov. with strain D17_0559-3-2-1T (=DSM 111258T= CIP 111884T=CCM 9044T) as type strain, Erysipelothrix aquatica sp. nov. with strain VA92-K48T (=DSM 106012T=LMG 30351T=CIP 111492T) as type strain and Erysipelothrix urinaevulpis sp. nov. with strain 165301687T (=DSM 106013T= LMG 30352T= CIP 111494T) as type strain.