Cutaneous Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (erysipeloid) infection in an immunocompromised child

Clinical manifestations, associated diseases, diagnosis, and treatment of human infections caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a bacillus that can cause cutaneous and systemic diseases in humans. Studies on the infection caused by this bacterium have been mostly done as case reports. This study aimed to systematically review E. rhusiopathiae infection cases published over the last 20 years.

METHODS

Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched using appropriate keywords to find relevant studies. After assessment of the studies, 57 case reports which surveyed 62 patients were included and their data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The majority of cases were adult men living in high-income countries with an animal-related job and/or a history of animal contacts. The number of cases has increased in recent years. The main underlying diseases that were associated with E. rhusiopathiae infections include hypertension, diabetes, and alcoholism. The most frequent presentations were fever, pain, local skin lesions, and heart failure/endocarditis. Two patients died, while 60 patients were recovered following antibiotic therapy, mainly with penicillin and ceftriaxone.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, the results indicated that E. rhusiopathiae usually infects people who come into contact with animals and causes mild to severe local or systemic infections, especially in those who have underlying diseases. Therefore, accurate and early diagnosis of E. rhusiopathiae infections by setting up appropriate laboratory tests is required.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Suppurative Arthritis in a 12-year-old Boy After an Unusual Fresh Water Exposure

We report the case of a 12-year-old boy who experienced recurrent suppurative arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint after near simultaneous exposure to a frog, a dog bite and lake water. Anaerobic cultures of synovial fluid obtained during operative debridement grew small round gray colonies ultimately identified as Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae by routine laboratory tests and mass spectrometry.