Staphylococcus hyicus

Staphylococcus hyicus is a Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic bacterium in the genus Staphylococcus. It consists of clustered cocci and forms white circular colonies when grown on blood agar. S. hyicus is a known animal pathogen. It causes disease in poultry, cattle, horses, and pigs. Most notably, it is the agent that causes porcine exudative epidermitis, also known as greasy pig disease, in piglets. S. hyicus is generally considered to not be zoonotic, however it has been shown to be able to cause bacteremia and sepsis in humans.

Staphylococcus hyicus commonly infects pig herds worldwide due to its global distribution. It can be found on asymptomatic carrier pigs at sites such as the skin, mucosa of nasal cavity, conjunctiva, and genitals (vagina of sow and prepuce of boar).

Infection with S. hyicus can be prevented with an autogenous vaccine. Managing the pigs can prevent disease and reduce the severity of an outbreak. Treatment includes topical sprays and oils as well as antibiotics, which should be tested to ensure S. hyicus is susceptible to them.