Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with skin lesions from Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection
By Marshall, Kalie R et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2019·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Erysipeloid lesions caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in a dog: clinical and histopathological findings, molecular diagnosis and treatment.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-month-old spayed female standard poodle was brought to the vet with symptoms like lethargy, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. About three weeks later, she developed skin lesions. After various tests, the vet identified the cause as a bacterial infection from Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, which is unusual in dogs. The dog was treated with antibiotics, specifically amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin, and showed complete recovery. Thirteen months later, she had no signs of the infection returning.
People also search for: dog skin lesions treatment · poodle vomiting and diarrhea · Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in dogs
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.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31364229/