Herd-Level Risk Factors for Bovine Tuberculosis: A Literature Review

Veterinary Medicine International ◽

10.1155/2012/621210 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Robin A. Skuce ◽

Adrian R. Allen ◽

Stanley W. J. McDowell

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Bovine Tuberculosis ◽

Management Practices ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Herd Size ◽

Herd Level ◽

Endemic Diseases ◽

Veterinary Profession ◽

Cattle Herds

Bovine tuberculosis (TB), caused byMycobacterium bovis, is one of the most challenging endemic diseases currently facing government, the veterinary profession, and the farming industry in the United Kingdom and Ireland and in several other countries. The disease has a notoriously complex epidemiology; the scientific evidence supports both cattle-cattle and wildlife-cattle transmission routes. To produce more effective ways of reducing such transmission, it is important to understand those risk factors which influence the presence or absence of bovine TB in cattle herds. Here we review the literature on herd-level risk factor studies. Whilst risk factors operate at different scales and may vary across regions, epidemiological studies have identified a number of risk factors associated with bovine TB herd breakdowns, including the purchase of cattle, the occurrence of bovine TB in contiguous herds, and/or the surrounding area as well as herd size. Other factors identified in some studies include farm and herd management practices, such as, the spreading of slurry, the use of certain housing types, farms having multiple premises, and the use of silage clamps. In general, the most consistently identified risk factors are biologically plausible and consistent with known transmission routes involving cattle-cattle and wildlife-cattle pathways.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and herd-level risk factors of bovine tuberculosis in the State of Goiás, Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n5supl2p3625 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (5Supl2) ◽

pp. 3625 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Willian Vilela Rocha ◽

Valéria De Sá Jayme ◽

Ana Lourdes Arrais de Alencar Mota ◽

Wilia Marta Elsner Diederichsen de Brito ◽

Glauciane Ribeiro de Castro Pires ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Bovine Tuberculosis ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Management Practices ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Livestock Production ◽

The State ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Strong Concentration ◽

Herd Level

Bovine tuberculosis results in economic losses in livestock production and poses a risk to public health. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological status of bovine tuberculosis in adult cows in the state of Goiás, Brazil. The state was divided into three sampling strata, corresponding to different livestock production circuits. A total of 18,659 animals were tested with the comparative cervical tuberculin test (CCT), in 300 randomly sampled bovine herds per stratum. An epidemiological questionnaire was used to identify health and management practices that may be associated with the presence of tuberculosis infection in the herd. In Stratum 1, dominated by beef cattle, no animals reacted to the CCT. In Stratum 2, which covers the main dairy regions of the state, the prevalence was estimated at 8.67% [5.73 to 12.74%] for herds and at 0.9% [0.21 to 1.58%] for animals. In Stratum 3, characterized by a mix of dairy, beef and dual-purpose herds, the prevalence was estimated at 1.00% [0.21 to 2.89] for herds and 0.30% [0.10 to 0.49 %] for animals. The overall prevalence in the state of Goiás was 3.43% [2.20 to 4.67%] for herds and 0.30% [0.10 to 0.49%] for animals. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that herd-level risk factors associated with the presence of the bovine tuberculosis are: the location of the herd in Stratum 2 (OR = 12.05 [3.52 to 41.28]) and the number of times a cow is milked per day (OR = 6.27 [2.72 to 14.44]). Regular veterinary care was identified as a protective factor (OR = 0.38 [0.15-0.94]). These results indicate that bovine tuberculosis is endemic in the state; its spatial distribution is heterogeneous with a strong concentration in dairy regions. The most intensive dairy farms are those with the highest risk, which is consistent with what other authors’ found elsewhere in Brazil. The epidemiological information generated by this study provides information for planning of risk-based surveillance actions, and justifies the adoption of free-herd certification programs for bovine tuberculosis in the main dairy regions of Goiás.

Download Full-text

Herd-level risk factors for bovine tuberculosis in French cattle herds

Preventive Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.07.006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 131 ◽

pp. 31-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Maud Marsot ◽

Marina Béral ◽

Axelle Scoizec ◽

Yoann Mathevon ◽

Benoit Durand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Bovine Tuberculosis ◽

Herd Level ◽

Cattle Herds

Download Full-text

Bovine tuberculosis prevalence and risk factors in selected districts of Bangladesh

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0241717 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0241717

Author(s):

S. K. Shaheenur Islam ◽

Tanzida Begum Rumi ◽

S. M. Lutful Kabir ◽

Adri G. M. van der Zanden ◽

Vivek Kapur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Bovine Tuberculosis ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Herd Size ◽

Farm Size ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Herd Level ◽

Pregnancy Status

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected districts of Bangladesh to estimate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), and to identify the risk factors for bTB. We included 1865 farmed cattle from 79 herds randomly selected from five districts. Herd and animal level data were collected using semi-structured interviews with cattle herd owners. The single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) was used to estimate the prevalence of bTB. The risk factors were identified using mixed-effect multiple logistic regression analyses. The overall herd and animal level prevalences of bTB were estimated to be 45.6% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 34.3–57.2%) and 11.3 (95% CI = 9.9–12.8%), respectively, using the OIE recommended >4 mm cut-off. The true animal level prevalence of bTB was estimated to be 11.8 (95% Credible Interval = 2.1–20.3%). At the herd level, farm size, bTB history of the farm and type of husbandry were significantly associated with bTB status in univariable analysis. Similarly, age group, sex, pregnancy status and parity were significantly associated with bTB at cattle level. However, in multivariable analysis only herd size at the herd level and age group and pregnancy status at the cattle level were significant. Compared to a herd size of 1–10, the odds of bTB were 22.8 (95% CI: 5.2–100.9) and 45.6 times (95% CI: 5.0–417.7) greater in herd sizes of >20–50 and >50, respectively. The odds of bTB were 2.2 (95% CI: 1.0–4.5) and 2.5 times (95% CI: 1.1–5.4) higher in cattle aged >3–6 years and > 6 years, compared to cattle aged ≤1 year. Pregnancy increased the odds of bTB by 1.7 times (95% CI: 1.2–2.4) compared to non-pregnant cattle. Taken together, the results suggest high herd and animal level prevalence of bTB in these 5 districts, with the greatest risk of bTB in older and pregnant cattle within large herds (>20), and highlight an urgent need for continued surveillance and implementation of bTB control programs in Bangladesh.

Download Full-text

Sero-prevalence and risk factors of leptospirosis in commercial cattle herds of Rupandehi district, Nepal

10.1101/2020.07.29.226464 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tulsi Ram Gompo ◽

Sumit Jyoti ◽

Sudikchya Pandit ◽

Ram Chandra Sapkota ◽

Aditi Pandey

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Control Program ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Herd Size ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Herd Level ◽

Cattle Herds

AbstractNepal has an agrarian-based economy where the livestock sector contributes about 12 percent to the national GDP. Rupandehi district is one of the largest dairy pocket areas in the nation, but the disease, such as leptospirosis, posed a negative impact on their production and productivity. Despite the economic importance of cattle leptospirosis, the disease is concerned for the people’s occupational risk and food safety. Although leptospirosis is a priority zoonosis in Nepal, the effective implementation of the control program lacks both in animal and human health. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and identify associated risk factors of cattle leptospirosis from March 2019 to April 2020. Altogether, 206 cattle herds located in all the sixteen local levels of the district were visited. The owners were interviewed to record the cattle management system’s information and their knowledge of the zoonotic diseases. A total of 383 cattle serum samples were collected, and an indirect antibody ELISA was performed to estimate the infection status of leptospirosis in the cattle herds. All the data were analyzed by Open epi and R software for the descriptive and analytical study. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was applied to assess the potential herd level and animal level risk factors. Out of seven potential herd-level risk factors, the purchased cattle herds (OR: 7.2, 95% CI: 1.24-136.5, p=0.025) and cattle with herd size >10 (OR: 14.92, 95% CI: 2.61-283.38, p=0.025) were identified as significant risk factors for leptospirosis. At the animal level, the cattle taken for grazing in pastureland accessed by the community dog was a significant risk factor (OR: 4.16, 95% CI: 1.13-14.06, p=0.034). Surprisingly, none of the farmers had heard about leptospirosis before. The outcome of this research could be an epidemiological insight in control of priority zoonosis to protect the livestock economy and reduce their negative impact on public health.

Download Full-text

Future Risk of Bovine Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) Breakdown in Cattle Herds 2013–2018: A Dominance Analysis Approach

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9051004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 1004

Author(s):

Andrew W. Byrne ◽

Damien Barrett ◽

Philip Breslin ◽

Jamie M. Madden ◽

James O’Keeffe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bovine Tuberculosis ◽

Policy Development ◽

Strong Predictor ◽

Herd Size ◽

Analysis Approach ◽

Dominance Analysis ◽

Control Programmes ◽

Significant Spatial Variation ◽

Future Risk ◽

Cattle Herds

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains a significant endemic pathogen of cattle herds, despite multi-decadal control programmes being in place in several countries. Understanding the risks of future bTB breakdown (BD) and the associated characteristics of herds and index breakdowns could help inform risk categorisation. Such risk categories could then contribute to tailored management and policies. Here, we estimated the future risk of herd BD for the cohort of herds that were derestricted during 2013 in Ireland using multivariable logit regression models, with a dominance analysis approach. One third of herds that were derestricted in 2013 experienced a breakdown during the follow-up five year period (1469/4459; 33%). BD length was a significant predictor of future risk, primarily driven by long BDs > 230 days relative to short BDs < 130 days (OR 95%CI: 1.157–1.851), as was having had a previous BD (OR 95%CI: 1.012–1.366). Herd-size was the dominant predictor of future risk (accounted for 46% of predicted variance), suggesting significant increase in risk of future breakdown with increasing (log) herd-size (OR 95%CI: 1.378–1.609). There was significant spatial variation in future risk across counties, and it was the second most dominant predictor of future risk (25% of predicted variance). The size of index breakdowns was not a strong predictor of future risk over a 5-year period. These findings can inform a risk-based policy development.

Download Full-text

Bovine Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) Outbreak Duration in Cattle Herds in Ireland: A Retrospective Observational Study

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9100815 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 815

Author(s):

Andrew W. Byrne ◽

Damien Barrett ◽

Philip Breslin ◽

Jamie M. Madden ◽

James O'Keeffe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Observational Study ◽

Mycobacterium Bovis ◽

Bovine Tuberculosis ◽

Animal Health ◽

Herd Size ◽

Policy Formation ◽

Nitrogen Loading ◽

Management Policy ◽

Retrospective Observational Study

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) outbreaks, caused by Mycobacterium bovis infection, are a costly animal health challenge. Understanding factors associated with the duration of outbreaks, known as breakdowns, could lead to better disease management policy development. We undertook a retrospective observational study (2012–2018) and employed Finite Mixture Models (FMM) to model the outcome parameter, and to investigate how factors were associated with duration for differing subpopulations identified. In addition to traditional risk factors (e.g., herd size, bTB history), we also explored farm geographic area, parcels/farm fragmentation, metrics of intensity via nitrogen loading, and whether herds were designated controlled beef finishing units (CBFU) as potential risk factors for increased duration. The final model fitted log-normal distributions, with two latent classes (k) which partitioned the population into a subpopulation around the central tendency of the distribution, and a second around the tails of the distribution. The latter subpopulation included longer breakdowns of policy interest. Increasing duration was positively associated with recent (<3 years) TB history and the number of reactors disclosed, (log) herd size, beef herd-type relative to other herd types, number of land parcels, area, being designated a CBFU (“feedlot”) and having high annual inward cattle movements within the “tails” subpopulation. Breakdown length was negatively associated with the year of commencement of breakdown (i.e., a decreasing trend) and non-significantly with the organic nitrogen produced on the farm (N kg/hectare), a measure of stocking density. The latter finding may be due to confounding effects with herd size and area. Most variables contributed only moderately to explaining variation in breakdown duration, that is, they had moderate size effects on duration. Herd-size and CBFU had greater effect sizes on the outcome. The findings contribute to evidence-based policy formation in Ireland.

Download Full-text

Bovine tuberculosis and its risk factors among dairy cattle herds in and around Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia

Ethiopian Veterinary Journal ◽

10.4314/evj.v19i2.3 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 27 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Anwar Nuru ◽

Gezahegne Mamo ◽

Leakemariam Teshome ◽

Aboma Zewdie ◽

Girmay Medhin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Bovine Tuberculosis ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Bahir Dar ◽

Cattle Herds

Download Full-text

Rumen fluke (Calicophoron daubneyi) on Welsh farms: prevalence, risk factors and observations on co-infection withFasciola hepatica

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182016001797 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 144 (2) ◽

pp. 237-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

RHYS ALED JONES ◽

PETER M. BROPHY ◽

E. SIAN MITCHELL ◽

HEFIN WYN WILLIAMS

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Fasciola Hepatica ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Herd Size ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Sunshine Hours ◽

Calicophoron Daubneyi ◽

Cattle Herds ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

The Uk

SUMMARYReports ofCalicophoron daubneyiinfecting livestock in Europe have increased substantially over the past decade; however, there has not been an estimate of its farm level prevalence and associated risk factors in the UK. Here, the prevalence ofC. daubneyiacross 100 participating Welsh farms was recorded, with climate, environmental and management factors attained for each farm and used to create logistic regression models explaining its prevalence. Sixty-one per cent of farms studied were positive forC. daubneyi, with herd-level prevalence for cattle (59%) significantly higher compared with flock-level prevalence for sheep (42%,P= 0·029). Co-infection betweenC. daubneyiandFasciola hepaticawas observed on 46% of farms; however, a significant negative correlation was recorded in the intensity of infection between each parasite within cattle herds (rho = −0·358,P= 0·007). Final models showed sunshine hours, herd size, treatment regularity againstF. hepatica, the presence of streams and bog habitats, and Ollerenshaw index values as significant positive predictors forC. daubneyi(P< 0·05). The results raise intriguing questions regardingC. daubneyiepidemiology, potential competition withF. hepaticaand the role of climate change inC. daubneyiestablishment and its future within the UK.

Download Full-text