Erysipeloid lesions caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in a dog: clinical and histopathological findings, molecular diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Background -Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a widespread Gram-positive, nonsporulating rod bacterium predominantly associated with skin disease in swine and cetaceans. Cutaneous lesions have yet to be described in dogs.Objective -To describe the clinical presentation, molecular and histopathological diagnosis, and treatment of a case of erysipeloid caused by E. rhusiopathiae in a dog.Animals -A 6-month-old spayed female standard poodle dog presented with lethargy, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Skin lesions appeared 20 days post first examination.Methods and materials -Complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, urine culture, blood culture, computed topography, forelimb radiography, joint and cerebrospinal fluid aspiration were performed; samples were collected for skin cytological evaluation, culture and histopathological analysis.Results -Blood cultures yielded Gram-positive, catalase-negative bacilli. Histopathological evaluation of skin biopsies revealed lymphoplasmacytic, neutrophilic and histiocytic perivascular and periadnexal dermatitis, and vasculitis. Cutaneous and blood PCR and sequencing of 16S rRNA identified the bacteria as E. rhusiopathiae. Clinical resolution was observed following the use of of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin therapies.Conclusions and clinical importance -To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of erysipeloid caused by E. rhusiopathiae in a dog. Clinical resolution was attained with the extended use of antibiotics. After 13 months, no clinical signs had returned.

Pathology, microbiology, and genetic diversity associated with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and novel Erysipelothrix spp. infections in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

“…One Erysipelothrix sp.-infected SSO had a focal discrete, rhomboidal expanse of mucosal infarction with congested borders on the left maxillary buccal mucosa ( Figure 5A ). Although not definitive, this lesion was grossly and microscopically compatible with the “diamond skin disease” pattern of dermal necrosis described from pigs, cetaceans, dogs, birds, and other animals with erysipelas ( Grieco and Sheldon, 1970 ; Melero et al, 2011 ; Marshall et al, 2019 ; Habte et al, 2021 ; Malik et al, 2021 ). Due to the extremely dense pelage of sea otters (this species has the densest fur of all mammals; ( Williams et al, 1992 )), additional rhomboidal lesions could have been present on the skin of one or more Erysipelothrix -infected SSOs in the current study but would be easily missed at necropsy.…”

Common superficial and deep cutaneous bacterial infections in domestic animals: A review

“…Histologically, they consisted of neutrophilic vasculitis and fibrinoid necrosis at all levels of the dermis, mixed with fibrin, hemorrhage, and edema. 54…”

Characterization of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Isolates from Diseased Pigs in 15 Chinese Provinces from 2012 to 2018

“…strain 2 (serotype 18) [1,2]. E. rhusiopathiae is a small, Gram-positive, slender, straight, rod-shaped bacterium that causes erysipelas in swine and many other animals [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Swine erysipelas can cause pyrexia, lameness, characteristic diamond skin lesions, and even sudden death in growing and adult swine [9].…”