ERYSIPELOTHRIX-RHUSIOPATHIAE, SEROTYPE-17, SEPTICEMIA IN MOOSE (ALCES-ALCES) FROM ALGONQUIN-PARK, ONTARIO

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae septicemia was diagnosed in three of four moose found dead in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, in th e spring of 1989. Type 17 E. rhusiopathiae was isolated from liver, lu ng, kidney, and lymph nodes of affected animals, which were in poor bo dy condition, and suffering hair loss associated with tick (Dermacento r albipictus) infestations. Microscopic lesions consisted of mild, mul tifocal, necrotizing myocarditis, sarcocystosis, and lymph node atroph y. The bacterium may have gained entry to these animals via ingestion of, or percutaneous exposure to, contaminated water, or possibly by th e bites of ticks. Malnutrition and tick infestation may have predispos ed the animals to infection by this opportunistic pathogen.