Pseudotuberculosis in sheep as a concern of veterinary public health

摘要

Pseudotuberculosis (caseous lymphadenitis) is an infectious disease characterized by encapsulated abscesses containing caseous or caseopurulent material. Mature lesions show a highly characteristic structure of concentric lamellations. The lesions are usually localized in the lymph nodes, lungs and, less frequently, in other organs (Jubb et al., 1988). Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent, which can be transmitted by contamination of skin wounds (Pepin et al, 1999) but can also be acquired by penetration of intact skin {Jubb et al., 1988), ingestion (Jubb et al., 1988) and probably through inhalation (Keslin et al, 1979). The relevance of this disease in the field of veterinary public health is discussed in this paper on the basis of epidemiological data collected in a survey carried out in sheep abattoirs.