Problem
Case Study
Police found an elderly alcoholic man unconscious near his fishing gear. He was taken to the hospital and blood cultures were collected; however, despite the efforts of the emergency department, they were not able to revive him. At autopsy, several vegetations were seen on both his aortic and mitral valves, and both valves were perforated. Blood cultures were reported positive with gram-positive rod.
Task
I. What test should the laboratory perform to confirm the genus of this gram-positive catalase-negative rod, growing both aerobically an anaerobically?
II. Although susceptibility testing for this organism is not generally performed, what important information regarding the susceptibility of this organism is important to communicate to those caring for the patient?
III. What is the most likely source of this patient's Erysipelothrix?