Case report of wound caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in occupational exposure

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a zoonotic gram positive coccobacillus. It is as an occupational pathogen and rarely infects animal handlers. There are three common forms of human infection: localized erysipeloid, diffuse cutaneous form and lastly, bacteremia that could rarely progress to infective endocarditis. Erysipeloid, usually appear on the hand fingers. In this study, we present a case of 20-year old man working in a butcher who frequently came in contact with the carcasses of animals such as cattle, sheep, turkeys and quails. In this case we observed in addition to a hand wound, a local wound in the leg area. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from the wounds through biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by disk diffusion method. The patient was treated after a full course of penicillin. Due to the occurrence of wounds in the leg area and the lack of proper coverage of this area during work by the patient, it seems that this bacterium, in addition to direct contact with infected animals, is also transmitted through indirect contact with contaminated water.