Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects mammals (including humans) and birds. It causes the zoonotic yersiniosis and Far East scarlet-like fever in humans. Consequences in animals range from acute (sepsis and multi-organ failure) to chronic (necrotic abscessation in various organs). In both humans and non-human animals, it is mainly acquired from contaminated food, either via the fecal-oral route or by consumption of infected animals.

Typical strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis can be differentiated from the closely related Y. pestis and Y. similis by biochemical tests: this species can ferment both melibiose and rhamnose. It is urease-positive.