erysipelas

erysipelas
—erysipelatous /er'euh si pel"euh teuhs, ear'-/, adj.
/er'euh sip"euh leuhs, ear'euh-/, n.
1. Pathol. an acute, febrile infectious disease, caused by a specific streptococcus, characterized by diffusely spreading deep-red inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes.
2. Also called swine erysipelas. Vet. Pathol. a disease of swine, caused by the organism Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, characterized by urticaria, vegetative endocarditis, arthritis, and sometimes septicemia.
[1350-1400; ME erisipila < L erysipelas < Gk, equiv. to erysi- (prob. akin to erythrós red) + -pelas prob. skin (akin to pélma sole of the foot; cf. L pellis skin)]

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      contagious infection of the skin and underlying tissue, caused by group A B-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria. Erysipelas causes affected areas of skin to turn bright red and become slightly swollen. The swollen blotches have a distinct border and slowly expand into the surrounding skin. The lesions are most commonly seen on the face, scalp, hands, and legs. They feel hot to the touch and the patient is feverish.

      Centuries ago erysipelas epidemics caused severe and often fatal infections. In AD 1089 one of the most severe epidemics was known as St. Anthony's fire because those who prayed to St. Anthony were said to recover; others, who did not, died. Today erysipelas is a rather mild and relatively rare infection that clears up rapidly when penicillin or other antibiotics are taken. Even without treatment the infection usually disappears in several weeks, but treatment is necessary to ensure against such potential complications as nephritis, subcutaneous abscesses, and blood poisoning (septicemia) from bacterial toxins. Antibiotic treatment also ensures against a recurrence of the infection and its transmission to others.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • erysipelas — late 14c., skin disease also known as St. Anthony s Fire, from Gk. erysipelas, perhaps from erythros red + pella skin (see FILM (Cf. film)). Erythros is cognate with L. ruber, rufus, Goth. rauþs, O.E. read from the PIE root for red (see …   Etymology dictionary

  • erysipelas — [er΄i sip′ə ləs, ir΄ə sip′ə ləs] n. [ME erisipela < L erysipelas < Gr < base of erythros, RED + pelas, akin to L pellis: see FELL4] an acute infectious disease of the skin or mucous membranes caused by a streptococcus and characterized… …   English World dictionary

  • erysipelas — er y*sip e*las ([e^]r [i^]*s[i^]p [ e]*las), n. [L., fr. Gr. erysi pelas; eryqro s red + pe lla hide, skin. See {Red}, and {Pell}, n.] (Med.) St. Anthony s fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a diffused red edematous inflammation of the skin …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Erysipĕlas — (gr., Med.), die Rose, daher Erysipelatöse Entzündung, so v.w. Rosenartige Entzündung …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Erysipĕlas — (griech.), soviel wie Rotlauf oder Rose (s.d.); erysipelatös, rosen oder rotlaufartig, von der Rose (Rotlauf) befallen …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Erysipelas — Erysipelas, griech., wandernde Haut oder Zellgewebsentzündung …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • Erysipelas — Infobox Disease Name = Erysipelas Caption = Erysipelas DiseasesDB = 4428 ICD10 = ICD10|A|46|0|a|30 ICD9 = ICD9|035 ICDO = OMIM = MedlinePlus = 000618 eMedicineSubj = derm eMedicineTopic = 129 MeshID = D004886Erysipelas (Greek ερυσίπελας red skin… …   Wikipedia

  • erysipelas — A specific, acute, superficial cutaneous cellulitis caused by β hemolytic streptococci and characterized by hot, red, edematous, brawny, and sharply defined eruptions; usually accompanied by severe constitutional symptoms. [G., fr. erythros, red… …   Medical dictionary

  • Erysipelas — Ery|si|pel, das; s, e, Ery|si|pe|las, das; , …pelata [lat. erysipelas < griech. erysi̓pelas, viell. zu: erythrós = rot u. eigtl. = das die Haut Rötende] (Med.): Wundrose. * * * Ery|si|pel, das; s, e, Ery|si|pe|las, das; , ...pelata [lat.… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • erysipelas — er•y•sip•e•las [[t]ˌɛr əˈsɪp ə ləs, ˌɪər ə [/t]] n. pat a deep red rash of the skin and mucous membranes accompanied by fever and pain, caused by any of a group of hemolytic streptococci • Etymology: 1350–1400; ME erisipila < L erysipelas < …   From formal English to slang

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