Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

Overview
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium. Distributed world-wide, E. rhusiopathiae is primarily considered an animal pathogen, causing a disease known as erysipelas in animals (and erysipeloid in humans – see below). Turkeys and pigs are most commonly affected, but cases have been reported in other birds, sheep, fish, and reptiles. The human disease called erysipelas is not caused by E. rhusiopathiae, but by various members of the genus Streptococcus.

Pathogenesis
In humans, E. rhusiopathiae infections most commonly present in a mild cutaneous form known as erysipeloid. E. rhusiopathiae can cause an indolent cellulitis, more commonly in individuals who handle fish and raw meat. It gains entry typically by abrasions in the hand. Bacteremia and endocarditis are uncommon sequalae. Due to the rarity of reported human cases, E. rhusiopathie infections are frequently misidentified at presentation.