ERYSIPELAS

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Causative Agent(s)

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (same organism that causes swine disease). Facultatively anaerobic and extracellular. Occurs sporadically, most economically important in turkeys. Transmitted through ingestion, skin breaks, mucous membranes and mechanically by insects. Organism is shed in faeces.

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology

Acute septicaemia resulting in sudden death (mortality 1-50%). Depression and unsteady gait may be seen prior to death. Chronic form is rarely seen with cutaneous lesions and swollen hocks. Vegetative endocarditis may occur in turkeys. Suspect in flocks that have been artificially inseminated 4-5 days before an episode of death without clinical signs.

Diagnostic Consideration

Impression smear of liver or spleen or smear of cardiac blood or bone marrow (look for Gram positive, slender, pleomorphic rods). Bone marrow is the sample of choice if specimen is partly decomposed. Isolation and identification is definitive.

Management and Treatment

The antibiotic of choice is rapid-acting penicillin such as potassium or sodium penicillin. As soon as a presumptive diagnosis is made, penicillin should be administered intramuscularly at 22,000 U/kg body weight followed by drinking water administration (395,000 U/L) for 4–5 days reduces losses.

 

Prevention can be achieved by administration of full dose of Erysipelas bacterin.