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Yersinia species isolated from sheep with enterocolitis
A W Philbey1, J R Glastonbury, I J Links
1NSW Agriculture and Fisheries, Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Wagga Wagga.
Australian Veterinary Journal
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Yersinia species, including Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. enterocolitica, were identified in sheep with diarrhea and mortality. Y. pseudotuberculosis caused acute enterocolitis, while other Yersinia species showed no consistent lesions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Sheep Pathology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Yersinia species are known enteric pathogens affecting livestock.
- Yersiniosis outbreaks in sheep can lead to significant economic losses.
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of Yersinia isolates in sheep is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize Yersinia species isolated from sheep in southern New South Wales.
- To determine the association between Yersinia infection and clinical signs, post-mortem findings, and concurrent parasitic infections.
- To investigate the serotypes and biotypes of prevalent Yersinia strains.
Main Methods:
- Bacteriological isolation and identification of Yersinia species from sheep submissions.
- Serotyping of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterocolitica isolates.
- Biochemical characterization of Yersinia enterocolitica isolates.
- Review of clinical data, post-mortem, and histopathological findings.
Main Results:
- 53 Yersinia isolates were recovered from 45 sheep, with Y. pseudotuberculosis (26) and Y. enterocolitica (20) being the most common.
- Y. pseudotuberculosis isolates belonged to serotype III; Y. enterocolitica isolates were biotype 5 and serogroup 2,3.
- Infection was associated with diarrhea, illthrift, mortality, and intestinal lesions, particularly acute segmental suppurative erosive enterocolitis with Y. pseudotuberculosis.
- Concurrent gastrointestinal nematodiasis and coccidiosis were frequently observed.
Conclusions:
- Yersinia species, particularly Y. pseudotuberculosis, are significant causes of enterocolitis in sheep in southern New South Wales.
- Y. pseudotuberculosis infection is characterized by specific pathological findings, unlike other identified Yersinia species.
- Changes in husbandry practices may be associated with increased risk of yersiniosis outbreaks.