Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteremia following a cat bite.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a major causative organism of swine erysipelas, but the infection has rarely occurred in humans. A soft-tissue infection with this organism is described as "erysipeloid." Most reported cases in human are related to occupational exposure. Endocarditis is a common complication of E. rhusiopathia e bacteremia in human. We report the case of a previously healthy 52-year-old Japanese female who presented with fever and an inflamed hand after being bitten by a stray cat. Blood culture was positive for E. rhusiopathiae , but no sign of infective endocarditis was observed. It may be prudent to consider E. rhusiopathiae infection in patients with animal bites.