A longitudinal study of faecal shedding of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis by Merino lambs in south-eastern Australia.

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted to investigate potential risk factors for faecal shedding of Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis by Merino lambs in four flocks in south-eastern Australia. The primary aims of the study were to determine the seasonal patterns of shedding of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis, and to evaluate putative risk factors for faecal shedding of these organisms, including worm egg count, live-weight and growth rate.