VMC 311, Veterinary Bacteriology, Notes compiled by Dr.

Gaurav Singhal

ERYSIPELOTHRIX
They are slender rods, curved or straight and have marked tendency to
form elongated filaments and slight tendency towards branching. They
are non motile, non spore forming, non capsule producing. They are
gram positive, microaerophillic and are stained well with ordinary dyes.

Erysipelothrix insidiosa

It causes swine erysipelas and is known to occur in many parts of the

world. Natural infection in swine and other animals occur commonly via
the alimentary tract. The feces and urine of infected animal
contaminate soil, food and water. Soil may retain virulent and viable
micro organisms and may serve as an excellent medium for conveying
the infection to animals. E. insidiosa have been isolated from fish and
hence it can also serve as potent source of infection. Swine with
subclinical infection and those having chronic form of infection acts as
carriers. In man, the disease is largely limited to the hands and arms
where the micro organisms have gained entrance via wounds.

E. insidiosa is variable in form. It is a short, slender, straight or bent

rod 1 micron to 2 micron in length and occurs in pairs or groups. In
liquid media, the filamentous forms are bent and twisted into a mass
resembling a mycelium. The organism has no metachromatic granule
and is not acid fast.

It grows sparingly on ordinary culture media but addition of serum and

amino acid tryptophan to nutrient broth or agar enhances the growth.
It is microaerophillic and growth occurs well at room temperature as
well at 37 degree C. The optimal required pH is 7.4.

Two type of colonies are formed, a) the short rod, “S” or smooth type,
form small, discrete, round, translucent colonies with entire edge. In
broth they form a uniform turbidity with no pellicle and very little
sediment b) the elongated filamentous forms, “R” or rough type, are
large irregular colonies, opaque, have uneven surfaces and edges. In
broth they form heavy, turbid growth with sediment in broth. In gelatin
stab, the growth radiates from the line of inoculation to form a
characteristics “fir tree” or “test tube brush” like appearance.

It resists drying at room temperature for several months. Exposure to

sunlight destroys the organism in 12 to 14 days. It is readily destroyed
by boiling. A temperature of 70 degree C kills the micro organisms in 5
to 10 minutes. In alkaline soil, the organism lives and multiplies during
the warmer months. Some strains can survive and multiply in phenol
however exposure of organism in 5 5 phenol for 5 to 15 minutes
VMC 311, Veterinary Bacteriology, Notes compiled by Dr. Gaurav Singhal

destroy them. They are sensitive to penicillin, streptomycin and broad

spectrum antibiotics.

It does not form indol and does not reduce nitrates. It is negative to
Voges-Proskauer test, the methylene blue reduction, the methyl red
test and the catalase test. It forms acid but no gas from glucose,
galactose, fructose, and lactose. There is no surface growth or
liquefaction of gelatin. Litmus milk may show a slight acid reaction. A
narrow green zone of hemolysis occurs around deep colonies in blood
agar.

Pigs of 3 to 18 months are readily affected by E. insidiosa. Swine

erysipelas is found in three forms: the acute or septicemia type, the
chronic form with endocarditis and arthritis and the urticarial form or
skin form or “Diamond Skin Disease” which may be followed by
gangrenous dermatitis. The acute form is characterized by sudden
onset, high temperature, rapid course, and high mortality which vary
from 25 to 75 %. Areas of hemorrhage may appear on the ventral
portions of the animal which becomes dark red as the disease
progresses. Some other symptoms are loss of appetite, general
depression and discharge from the eyes.

In chronic form, there is vegetative endocarditis of the heart valves

particularly of mitral valve. There is chronic arthritis in which the joints
of the limbs become enlarged, giving the swine a characteristics
“stilted walk”. It is not often fatal but affected animal do not gain
weight rapidly.

The urticarial form is a mild infection characterized by the

development of well defined, diamond shaped spots of 1-5 cm in
diameter on the skin. These appear on the back and sides of the
animal as dark red or purple areas which become raised. This is
followed by extensive gangrene and sloughing of the skin.

In sheep, the infection with E.insidiosa is characterized by chronic

polyarthritis.

Animals that recover from E. insidiosa infection remain permanently

immune, although they may act as carrier for long time.

The diagnosis can be made with certainty only by bacteriologic and

serologic procedures. (Using Colony characteristics in lab). Serologic
test are of value only in chronic infections.