Changes

''Campylobacter fetus'', has the subspecies ''fetus'' and [[Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis|''venerealis'']], belonging to the genus [[Campylobacter species - Overview|''Campylobacter'']].

''Campylobacter fetus'', has the subspecies ''fetus'' and [[Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis|''venerealis'']], belonging to the genus [[Campylobacter species - Overview|''Campylobacter'']].

''C.fetus'' can cause sporadic abortion in sheep and is the cause of 10% of ovine abortions in the UK. It occassionally causes abortion in cattle and horses, but at a much lower incidence then in sheep.  It also casues enteritis similar to that caused by ''C. jejuni'' in cattle, sheep, pigs and horses.  The bacteria is an enteric organism of sheep, goats and cattle and is spread by faecal-oral transmission. The ingestion of ''C.fetus'' during last trimester of pregnancy causes a bacteraemia.

''C.fetus'' is the cause of 10% of ovine abortions in the UK. It occassionally causes sporadic abortion in cattle and horses, but at a much lower incidence then in sheep.  It can also act in a similar way to ''C. jejuni'' and casue enteritis in cattle, sheep, pigs and horses.  The bacteria is an enteric organism of sheep, goats and cattle and is spread by faecal-oral transmission. The ingestion of ''C.fetus'' during last trimester of pregnancy causes a bacteraemia.

The bacteria can reach the uterus and necrotic placentitis causes late abortion, still birth or weak lambs. Aborted lambs may have round necrotic lesions on the surface of their liver.

The bacteria can reach the uterus and necrotic placentitis causes late abortion, still birth or weak lambs. Aborted lambs may have round necrotic lesions on the surface of their liver.

Aborting ewes are therefore a source of infection for vulnerable animals and up to 20% of a flock may abort.

Aborting ewes are therefore a source of infection for vulnerable animals and up to 20% of a flock may abort.