ro13-9904 and Erysipeloid

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is the causative agent of swine erysipelas. Systemic infections caused by E. rhusiopathiae are rare, but often (90%) associated with endocarditis. In about 60% of cases endocarditis develops on normal heart valves, and despite appropriate antibiotic therapy about one-third of the patients requires valve replacement. We report the case of a housewife, who developed a mitral valve endocarditis due to E. rhusiopathiae after preparing meat for the Turkish "Festival of Sacrifice".

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteremia; Bacteriological Techniques; Ceftriaxone; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Emigrants and Immigrants; Endocarditis, Bacterial; Erysipeloid; Erysipelothrix; Female; Finger Injuries; Follow-Up Studies; Food Microbiology; Heart Valve Diseases; Holidays; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Meat; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Mitral Valve; Penicillin G; Sheep; Switzerland; Turkey

We report a case of erysipeloid in a 73-year-old woman. The disease was characterized clinically by erythematous and erosive lesions on three fingers of the left hand. Diagnosis was made based on the patient's occupation (housewife), history of previous traumatic contact with a scorpion fish, typical inflammatory lesions located on one hand, lack of severe systemic features, mild laboratory abnormalities and rapid remission after specific treatment.

Topics: Aged; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ceftriaxone; Erysipeloid; Female; Fingers; Fishes; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Injections, Intramuscular; Treatment Outcome

Rouget du porc, or swine erysipelas, usually occurs in man as Rosenbach's erysipeloid. Septicemic forms are more uncommon and can be associated with dermal involvement far from the site of inoculation. We report a case in a patient given corticosteroid therapy for systematic lupus.. A 50-year-old farmer was seen with fever, infiltrative erythema of the long finger and dorsal lesions on the ring finger which developed after a skin lesions caused by a duck. The diagnosis of septicemic rouget du porc was made after isolating the germ from blood cultures. There was no associated endocarditis. Fever and skin lesions totally regressed after treatment with ceftriaxone.. The diagnosis of erysipeloid was supported by epidemiologic arguments and characteristic clinical features. The corticosteroid therapy was probably a favoring factor for development of septicemia. Positive diagnosis is usually obtained from blood culture but the germ can be isolated from skin biopsies at the site of inoculation. Our patient was free of endocarditis which should always be suspected. Endocarditis is frequent and often fatal. Intravenous high-dose penicillin G is recommanded treatment.

Topics: Animals; Bacteremia; Bites and Stings; Ceftriaxone; Cephalosporins; Ducks; Erysipeloid; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Skin Diseases, Infectious