title: Susceptibility of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae to antimicrobial agents and home disinfectants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae causes the occupationally-related infection erysipeloid in humans, and may be responsible for infections in lobster fishermen in Western Australia. There are little recent data pertaining to antimicrobial susceptibility, or susceptibility to disinfectants that might be used in the environment. The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility of E. rhusiopathiae from human, animal and environmental sources to various antimicrobial agents and disinfectants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The susceptibility of 60 E rhusiopathiae isolates was determined using a recommended agar dilution procedure. Susceptibility to disinfectants was achieved using a broth microdilution method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Penicillin and ceftriaxone, with low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) (MIC90 0.03 mg/l and 0.125 mg/l, respectively), remained active against E. rhusiopathiae and should continue to be recommended for treatment. Ciprofloxacin MICs were particularly low (MIC90 0.06 mg/l), offering an alternative agent for the penicillin allergic patient. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is still resistant to vancomycin (MIC90 64 mg/l), highlighting the importance of early diagnosis of E. rhusiopathiae infection in cases of endocarditis. In addition, 31 E. rhusiopathiae isolates were tested against several commercially available home disinfectants. Most were effective in killing E. rhusiopathiae with minimum bactericidal concentrations of 0.001% for Pine O Cleen, and 0.03% for Domestos, Linely and the Wheelie Bin Phenyl Cleanser.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There appeared to be no new emergence of antibiotic resistance in E. rhusiopathiae. Various disinfectants could be used following mechanical cleaning of work environments, such as fishing boats, and equipment, to reduce the risk of infection with E. rhusiopathiae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia.
authors.forename: Silvana G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Fidalgo
authors.forename: Chelsea J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Longbottom
authors.forename: Thomas V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Rjley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004888:Erysipelothrix / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004889:Erysipelothrix Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004202:Disinfectants