[Erysipelas of the skin in fattening swine: assessment from the view of meat hygiene].

Nine pigs with acute erysipelas in skin manifestation have been subjected in 1998 to a bacteriological examination. Eight animals proved to have Erysipelothrix 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 suppurating dermatitis and panniculitis. The actually valid Swiss Meat Inspection Ordinance which in case of erysipelas in skin manifestation requires only the elimination of the skin and admits the consumption of the meat, is not warrantable from the point of view of meat hygiene.