<unk>   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,<unk>  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<unk> , but by various members of the genus Streptococcus. It is most frequently associated as an occupational disease of butchers.
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Cryptococcus neoformans
Blastomyces dermatitidis
Helminthosporium solani
Mansonella streptocerca
Coccidioides immitis
Aspergillus clavatus
Naegleria fowleri