VMC 311: Systematic Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology (2+1)

RESISTANCE, ANTIGENS AND TOXINS

• Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is resistant to several chemicals including sodium azide, and to drying, pickling, salting and smoking.
• It is capable of surviving for nearly a year in putrefying meat. But they are susceptible to caustic soda and hypochlorites.
• They are readily killed in moist heat at a temperature of 55^ºC for 10 mts.

Antigens and toxins

• Based on heat labile and heat stable antigens so far 23 serotypes have been identified.
• Strains of serotype 1 are subdivided into 1a and 1b. Serotypes 1a, 1b and 2 are most frequently involved in disease in swine.
• Hyaluronidase and neuraminidase are produced by some strains.