Taxonomy
Family: Erysipelotrichaceae

Non pathogenic: E. tonsillarum and E. inopinata

Natural habitats
Is distributed worldwide in nature, and is carried by a variety of animals, mammals, birds and fish but is most frequently associated with pigs.

Contamination of water and soil from the feces and urine of sick and asymptomatic animals often occurs.

Clinical significance
They causes mostly erysipeloid, a localized cellulitis within 2-7 days around the inoculation side.

The disease is contacted through the skin abrasion, injury, or a bite on the hands or arms of individuals handling animals or animal products.

They include peritonitis, endophtalmitis, osteomyelitis, intracranial and spinal abscesses, prosthetic joint arthritis, pneumonia, and meningitis.

Erysipeloid
is an occupationaldisease, occurring most frequently among veterinarians, butchers, and particularly fish handlers.
The lesions usually violaceous and painful, indurated with edema inflammation but without suppuration, and clearly delineated at the border.

Dissemination and endocarditis can occur, especially in immunocompromised patients; their prognosis is generally poor.

Healing of erysipeloid usually takes 2-4 weeks, sometimes months, and relapses are common.

Lesions should be taken for Gram-staining and culture.

SWABS from the surface of the skin are not useful.