Detection of <I>Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae</i> in Clinical and Environmental Samples

Abstract

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is pathogenic for both animals and humans, causing erysipelas in swine and erysipeloid in humans. In swine, disease may be either acute or chronic, resulting in the development of arthritis and endocarditis. In Japan, erysipelas remains an animal hygiene problem causing great economic loss as infected swine are disused. Human infection closely resembles that seen in swine, with both acute and chronic forms also. The most common presentation is erysipeloid, a localized cutaneous infection. In Western Australia, an erysipeloid-like infection referred to as "crayfish poisoning" occurs in lobster fishermen and handlers. A second type of presentation is a generalized cutaneous form involving lesions that progress from the initial site of infection or appear in remote areas. The third and most serious form of disease is a septicemia that is almost always linked to endocarditis. The mortality rate in Erysipelothrix endocarditis is still high (38%) and can be explained by the use of vancomycin (to which Erysipelothrix spp. are inherently resistant) as empirical therapy. Therefore, it is critical to have an early diagnosis of E. rhusiopathiae infection.Unfortunately, several problems exist with the diagnosis of E. rhusiopathiae infections by conventional cultural procedures, and these infections are often incorrectly diagnosed. First, because of their very small colony size and slow growth rates, it is difficult to isolate E. rhusiopathiae from heavily contaminated specimens. Various selective media have been described to improve the isolation of E. rhusiopathiae from contaminated specimens; however, not all contaminants are inhibited. The development of two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods has created an opportunity to greatly improve the efficiency with which these organisms are detected and identified. Makino et al. designed a PCR method that amplifies a 407-bp DNA fragment derived from the 16S rRNA coding sequence. The primers in this method are specific for the genus Erysipelothrix and do not differentiate between the species. A second set of primers designed by Shimoji et al. amplifies a 937-bp DNA fragment which is derived from a sequence associated with virulence of E. rhusiopathiae. These primers are specific for E. rhusiopathiae only. Shimoji et al. also utilized a selective enrichment medium based on tryptic soy broth containing ethidium bromide and sodium azide.

Soft Tissue Infections Caused by Marine Bacterial Pathogens: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management

“…The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay has been used for rapid diagnosis in swine and has been applied successfully to human and environmental samples [109]. Susceptibility data for E. rhusiopathiae are limited.…”

First report of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae‐associated septicaemia and histologic changes in cultured Australian eels, Anguilla reinhardtii (Steindachner, 1867) and A. australis (Richardson, 1841)

“…; Wang et al . ; Fidalgo & Riley ; Yamazaki ). Briefly, the E. rhusiopathiae‐ specific PCR was conducted in 20 μL reaction mixture with 1.5 m m MgCl 2 and the primers ER1 (5′‐CGA TTA TAT TCT TAG CAC GCA ACG‐3′) and ER2 (5′‐TGC TTG TGT TGT GAT TTC TTG ACG‐3′).…”

“…Diagnosis of Erysipelothrix spp. infection can be improved when bacterial culture with selective media containing ethidium bromide and sodium azide is combined with 16S rRNA PCR methods to avoid difficulties of slow growth rates and contamination of environmental samples (Fidalgo & Riley ). Brain–heart infusion broth enrichment and subculture onto brain–heart infusion agar supplemented with kanamycin, neomycin and vancomycin after 48 h of incubation provided the most efficient primary isolation method (Fidalgo et al .…”

Empyema in spinal canal in thoracic region, abscesses in paravertebral space, spondylitis: in clinical course of zoonosis Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

“…A bacterium is also observed in fish and sea mammals. In animals, the infection may have character of severe sepsis, subacute course-the form of multifocal skin changes and chronic-with accompanying endocarditis and arthritis [5,12,17,19,31,35]. Domestic pig is the most important reservoir of bacterium E. rhusiopathiae in the environment; the infecting agent is released from the infected animals by faeces, sweat and excreted mucous which pollute food and water.…”