title: A dangerous hobby? Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteremia most probably acquired from freshwater aquarium fish handling.
abstract: Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive rod that occurs widely in nature and is best known in veterinary medicine for causing swine erysipelas. In humans, infections are rare and mainly considered as occupationally acquired zoonosis. A case of E. rhusiopathiae bacteremia most likely associated with home freshwater aquarium handling is reported. The route of transmission was probably a cut with the dorsal fin of a dead pet fish. A short review of clinical presentations, therapeutic considerations and pitfalls of E. rhusiopathiae infections in humans is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland. helenasimaki@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6793-5797
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Asimaki
authors.affiliation: Center of Laboratory Medicine, Frohbergstrasse 3, 9001, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.affiliation: Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 120, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Overesch
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Strahm
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D004888:Erysipelothrix / Q000502:physiology*; D004889:Erysipelothrix Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005399:Fishes; D006686:Hobbies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057805:Pets; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Bacteremia; Endocarditis; Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae; Fish; Freshwater aquarium