Laboratory diagnostics: Erysipelas
What laboratory diagnostic methods can I use to diagnose erysipelas? Which one should I choose according to the situation? How do I interpret the results?
Erysipelas is a systemic bacterial disease characterized by diamond shaped skin lesions and arthritis in its chronic forms.
It is a frequent disease caused by a bacteria called Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae found in most farms. It is estimated that up to 20% of healthy animals carry the organism in the tonsils, and it is eliminated through feces or saliva, thus, this is the way the disease maintains a low infection level in the environment. It also can be found in many other species, including birds (especially turkeys) and sheep, and can survive outside the pig for a few weeks, mainly in flooring where sand is used as bedding. Infected feces are probably the main source of infection, mainly in growers and finishers.
The disease is not very common in pigs 8 to 12 weeks old or less due to the protection provided by maternal antibodies in colostrum. The more susceptible animals are growing pigs, gilts and not vaccinated sows and boars.
The bacteria invades the blood stream through different ways including skin lesions or through the digestive tract’s wall, producing septicemia. The incubation period is 24 to 48 hours. Disease tends to be sporadic and is more prominent in warm weather (summer).
Boars
Sows
Hyper-acute and acute disease
Sub-acute disease
Chronic disease
Lactating piglets
Weaners and growers
Acute disease:
Sub-acute and mild disease:
Chronic disease
What laboratory diagnostic methods can I use to diagnose erysipelas? Which one should I choose according to the situation? How do I interpret the results?