Erysipeloid - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Erysipeloid is the infectious disease of the skin. It is caused by the microorganism Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (insidiosa), which long has been known to cause animal and human infections. Three forms of this condition exist a mild localized form manifested by local swelling and redness of the skin; a diffuse form that might present with fever; and a rare systemic form associated with endocarditis. Direct contact between meat infected with Erhusiopathiae and traumatized human skin results in erysipeloid. In animals, the organism causes swine erysipelas and several other diseases in poultry and sheep. Erysipeloid usually is an acute, self-limited infection of the skin that resolves without consequences. Individuals with the systemic form, in which organs other than the skin are involved, may have neurologic, cardiologic, or other impairments. Individuals with systemic infection may even die of sepsis, if the proper diagnosis is not made, and treatment is not initiated early on. E rhusiopathiae, which is highly resistant to environmental factors, enters the skin through scratches or pricks. In the skin, the organism is capable of producing certain enzymes that help it dissect its way through the tissues. It has recently been discovered that only pathogenic strains of E rhusiopathiae are capable of producing the neuraminidase enzyme. This enzyme is speculated to help the microorganism invade tissues.Patients with systemic disease may experience symptoms such as chills, fever, headache, joint pain and weight loss. Skin lesions may or may not be apparent in patients with systemic erysipeloid.

Erysipeloid can affect any age group. It is usually limited to the skin (mainly hands and fingers). There are pain, edema and purplish erythema with sharp irregular margins which extends peripherally but clears centrally. Relapses and extensions of the lesions to distant areas are common, but there is no fever. Rare cases of endocarditis and septic arthritis have occurred. Erysipeloid can affect people in three ways. Clearly defined bright red to purple lesions with smooth shiny surfaces. They slowly expand over a few days with sharp or curvaceous borders which may have tiny blisters. Lesions may be warm and tender and cause pain or burning. Most often occur on the hands, webs of the fingers, forearms, or any other exposed area of the body. A few patients may experience mild fever, chills and malaise. Adiffuse cutaneous form occurs when multiple lesions appear on various parts of the body. Rarely, a severe systemic form of erysipeloid may develop. . Antibiotics are usually the treatment of choice. All three forms of erysipeloid may be treated with penicillin . Patients allergic to penicillin may be treated with a combination of erythromycin and/or rifampicin . Other drug choices are tetracyclines or ciprofloxacin. E rhusiopathiae has been shown to be eradicated from surfaces by the use of simple home disinfectants; thus, an important step in the prevention of infection may be to spray hazardous work areas (eg, fishing boats, meat counters) with disinfectants.

Causes of Erysipeloid

Common Causes and Risk factors of Erysipeloid

• Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.
• Direct contact between traumatized human skin and infected meat.

Sign and Symptoms of Erysipeloid

Common Sign and Symptoms of Erysipeloid

• High fevers.
• Weight loss.
• Chills.
• Joint pain.
• Headaches.
• Vomiting.
• Swelling.
• Inflammation.

Treatment for Erysipeloid

Common Treatment for Erysipeloid

• Antibiotics are usually the treatment of choice. The antibiotic of choice for the 3 forms of erysipeloid is penicillin.
• Ceftriaxone proved to have an effect against E rhusiopathiae. In patients who are allergic to penicillin, ciprofloxacin alone or erythromycin in combination with rifampin may be used.
• The microorganism is resistant to vancomycin, an important consideration in patients with endocarditis caused by E rhusiopathiae.
• For skin infection, penicillin G, ampicillin or any 3rd generation cephalosporin. For endocarditis and/or septic arthritis use cefazolin.

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