Swine erysipelas in skin manifestation: assessment according to meat hygiene aspect

Nine pigs with acute erysipelas in skill manifestation have been subjected in 1998 to a bacteriological examination. Eight animals proved to have Erys ipelothrix rhusiopathiae in muscles and/or organs. In the part of the well- defined rhomboid, bluish-red skin lesions, histology showed a disseminated acute vasculitis and a perivascular supparating dermatitis and panniculitis . The actually valid Swiss Meat Inspection Ordinance which in case of erysipe las in skin manifestation requires only the elimination of the skill and ad mits the consumption of the meat, is not warrantable from the point of view of meat hygiene.