Valvular endocarditis associated with experimental Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection in the opossum (Didelphis virginiana).
Intravenous inoculation of a wild type isolate of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in opossums resulted in valvular endocarditis in all infected animals. Opossums were inoculated once a week for 3 weeks. Lesions became visible with cardiac ultrasound by week four post-inoculation. Opossums remained clinically normal throughout the experiment, and preinfection body weight was maintained. Other lesions of chronic erysipelas including skin necrosis and arthritis were not found in infected opossums.
La Regina
M C
MC
Department of Comparative Medicine, St. Louis University Medical Center, MO 63104.
Lonigro
J
J
Woods
L
L
Williams
G A
GA
Vogler
G A
GA
D000818:Animals; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004889:Erysipelothrix Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009893:Opossums / Q000382:microbiology*