Erysipelas

Description

Erysipelas, caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is acquired from asymptomatic carrier pigs or contamination by the short lived bacteria in the environment. In sheep, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae causes arthritis (often post-marking) and post-dipping lameness due to laminitis. In pigs, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae causes fatal septicaemia (peracute form); fever, lameness, vasculitis associated urticaria or “diamond” skin lesions (acute form); arthritis and valvular endocarditis (chronic form). Fevers in pregnant sows can result in abortion. Cyanosis may develop from vasculitis or valvular endocarditis. The chronic form is generally accompanied by firm, swollen joints and sloughing of necrotic skin.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, post mortem and histological examination; infection is confirmed by isolation of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from affected tissues.

Tests available

Click on + in the tables below for sampling requirements and additional test information

Code	Name	Samples required	Species	Turnaround time	Price (excl. GST)	Notes	Test days
E_RHUS_PCR	Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae PCR*	PCR performed from culture Joint fluid	Ovine, Porcine	5D	$109.35	* Denotes analyses not covered by the NATA scope of accreditation. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday –Friday
ERY_SP_PCR	Erysipelothrix spp. PCR*	PCR performed from culture	Ovine, Porcine	5D	$109.35	* Denotes analyses not covered by the NATA scope of accreditation. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday –Friday
ERYSIP_CLT	Erysipelothrix sp. – Selective culture	Swab Swab from affected joint synovium, collected aseptically Send without transport medium Submit chilled Fresh tissue or PM sample Whole affected joint, sections of skin, endocardium, liver, kidney, lung and spleen. Submit chilled.	Ovine, Porcine	7D	$82.10	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. ²Prior approval of delivery and testing on Saturday is required. Please contact Customer Service on 1800 675 623 to seek approval.	Monday – Saturday²
HIST_HE1	Histopathology – Preparation & Examination	Fixed Tissues- General Fresh tissues immediately placed in formalin Tissue pieces should not be greater than 1cm cubed to ensure proper fixation Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue Fixed Tissues- Nervous tissues Submission of whole brain is required to ensure preservation of TSE target sites submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue Brains submitted for Nervous tissues are processed once a week, separate to general tissues to ensure consistent and reliable results. Urgent cases can be processed out of cycle if clearly marked on the Submission Form however this may reduce the quality of the brain histology results, so should only be requested in extremely urgent cases. Fresh Tissues Fresh tissues can be submitted following necropsy The quality of the tissues will be reduced due to the effects of autolysis so ideally fixed tissue should be submitted in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue	All species	Up to 10D	$84.95	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday - Friday
PM_PIG	Post Mortem Large Animal- Pig	Please Note: Post mortems for companion animals and equines are only performed with prior approval by veterinary pathology services, and additional fees may be relevant for complex cases. For large animals, please contact the laboratory to discuss logistics of carcase receival and delivery. Whole Animal Animals must be recently euthanised or freshly dead. Submit chilled in an insulated container. Freezing animals for post mortem is not recommended, as it interferes with diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture and histology). Animals may be frozen if the interval between euthanasia and post mortem will be greater than 24 hours, however further diagnostic testing will be limited.	Porcine	Necropsy reports are issued up to 14D after completion of necropsy.	POA	1 pig Final selection of the appropriate post mortem type is at the discretion of the pathologist performing the necropsy. Post mortem charges do not include additional diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture, or histopathology). Animals for post mortem examination must be packaged and labelled appropriately, and accompanied by a completed submission form. Contact the laboratory to ensure the correct samples are collected, and further testing is performed as requested. Please contact Customer Service to discuss a diagnostic plan. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand
PM_SHEEP	Post Mortem Large Animal- Sheep	Please Note: Post mortems for companion animals and equines are only performed with prior approval by veterinary pathology services, and additional fees may be relevant for complex cases. For large animals, please contact the laboratory to discuss logistics of carcase receival and delivery. Whole Animal Animals must be recently euthanised or freshly dead. Submit chilled in an insulated container. Freezing animals for post mortem is not recommended, as it interferes with diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture and histology). Animals may be frozen if the interval between euthanasia and post mortem will be greater than 24 hours, however further diagnostic testing will be limited.	Ovine	Necropsy reports are issued up to 14D after completion of necropsy.	POA	1 sheep Final selection of the appropriate post mortem type is at the discretion of the pathologist performing the necropsy. Post mortem charges do not include additional diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture, or histopathology). Animals for post mortem examination must be packaged and labelled appropriately, and accompanied by a completed submission form. Contact the laboratory to ensure the correct samples are collected, and further testing is performed as requested. Please contact Customer Service to discuss a diagnostic plan. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand
PM_FPIG	Post Mortem Large Animal- Pig Foetus	Whole Animal Animals must be recently euthanised or freshly dead. Submit chilled in an insulated container. Freezing animals for post mortem is not recommended, as it interferes with diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture and histology). Animals may be frozen if the interval between euthanasia and post mortem will be greater than 24 hours, however further diagnostic testing will be limited.	Porcine	Necropsy reports are issued up to 14D after completion of necropsy.	$41.05	1 pig foetus Final selection of the appropriate post mortem type is at the discretion of the pathologist performing the necropsy. Post mortem charges do not include additional diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture, or histopathology). Animals for post mortem examination must be packaged and labelled appropriately, and accompanied by a completed submission form. Contact the laboratory to ensure the correct samples are collected, and further testing is performed as requested. Please contact Customer Service to discuss a diagnostic plan. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand
PM_FSHEEP	Post Mortem Large Animal- Sheep Foetus	Whole Animal Animals must be recently euthanised or freshly dead. Submit chilled in an insulated container. Freezing animals for post mortem is not recommended, as it interferes with diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture and histology). Animals may be frozen if the interval between euthanasia and post mortem will be greater than 24 hours, however further diagnostic testing will be limited.	Ovine	Necropsy reports are issued up to 14D after completion of necropsy.	$76.95	1 sheep foetus Final selection of the appropriate post mortem type is at the discretion of the pathologist performing the necropsy. Post mortem charges do not include additional diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture, or histopathology). Animals for post mortem examination must be packaged and labelled appropriately, and accompanied by a completed submission form. Contact the laboratory to ensure the correct samples are collected, and further testing is performed as requested. Please contact Customer Service to discuss a diagnostic plan. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand

Additional Information

Note
PCR can be used to detect bacteria in chronic lesions (e.g. endocarditis).
Bacteriological examination of the foetus or placenta is not warranted as abortion is due to maternal pyrexia.

Additional Sample Requirements

Histopathology examination
Fixed Tissue Affected joint synovium, sections of skin, endocardium, liver, kidney, lung and spleen. Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue

Histopathology examination

Fixed Tissue

Affected joint synovium, sections of skin, endocardium, liver, kidney, lung and spleen.
- Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue

Additional Information

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

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CONTACT DETAILS
Phone	1800 675 623
Email	laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Operating Hours	8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)
Postal Address	Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the APHL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type	Laboratory	Street Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568