Swine Erysipelas: First Case Report in Northern Tanzania

Abstract

A sick pig and a dead 4 month old piglet originating from two different piggeries within Arusha were reported to the Veterinary Investigation Centre (VIC) Arusha. The sick pig showed classic diamond and square shaped cutaneous lesions suggestive of swine erysipelas while the dead piglet showed skin discoloration, petechiation in the kidney cortex, atria and pericardium. There was congestion of liver, spleen and gastroenteritis an indication of an acute septicaemic infection. Bacteriological cultures of the whole blood and organ from the sick and the dead piglet respectively plus sugar fermentation reaction, revealed a bacterium with characteristics similar to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. The sick pig improved dramatically within 24 hours following treatment with penicillin injection (50,000 units/kg body wt.) and recovered completely after two more injections. The report is believed to be the first to be recorded in Arusha and possiibly the first to be officially documented in Tanzania and calls for control measures.