General information

Yersinia belong to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Yersinia (Y.) pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of pseudotuberculosis/rodentiosis, an infectious disease all mammalian and bird species can contract. For instance, rodents and cats are predisposed. Abscesses can occur in various organs. The pathogen has a high tenacity. In the soil, the pathogen remains infectious for months.

Y. enterocolitica causes enterocolitis in humans and animals. Immunopathological reactions can lead to arthritis, arthrosis and skin diseases. Animals, especially pigs and poultry, often act as pathogen reservoir. Dogs rarely become ill, if at all, puppies are mainly affected. The infection manifests itself as enteritis, resulting in mucous to bloody diarrhoea.