The Collaborative International Dictionary
erysipeloid \er`y*sip"e*loid\ ([e^]r`[i^]*s[i^]p"[-e]*loid), n.
[L., fr. Gr. 'erysi`pelas; 'eryqro`s red + pe`lla hide, skin.
See Red, and Pell, n.] (Med.)
a usually self-limiting cellulitis of the hand somewhat
resembling erysipelas, caused by the bacterium
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. It may start at the site of a
wound obtained while handling meat or fish, and may
occasionally become generalizd with protracted illness and
severe toxemia.
--Stedman
Erysipelothrix \Er`y*sip"e*lo*thrix\
([e^]r`[i^]*s[i^]p"[-e]*las), n. [see erysipelas.]
(Microbiol.)
a genus of non-motile, rod-shaped Gram-positive bacteria of
the family Corynebacteriaceae. They are facultatively
anaerobic and produce acid but no gas from glucose. Members
of this genus are parasitic on fish, birds, and mammals,
including man. The type species of the genus, Erysipelothrix
rhusiopathiae, causes erysipeloid in man.
--Stedman
Wikipedia
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a Gram-positive, catalase-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, non-acid-fast, non-motile bacterium. The organism was first established as a human pathogen late in the nineteenth century. It may be isolated from soil, food scraps and water contaminated by infected animals. It can survive in soil for several weeks. In pig faeces, the survival period of this bacterium ranges from 1 to 5 months. It grows aerobically and anaerobically and does not contain endotoxin. Distributed worldwide, E. rhusiopathiae is primarily considered an animal pathogen, causing a disease known as erysipelas in animals (and erysipeloid in humans – see below). Turkeys and pigs are most commonly affected, but cases have been reported in other birds, sheep, fish, and reptiles. In pigs, the disease is known as "diamond skin disease". The human disease called erysipelas is not caused by E. rhusiopathiae, but by various members of the genus Streptococcus.
It is most frequently associated as an occupational disease of butchers.