Risk factors associated with faecal shedding of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 in eight known-infected Danish dairy herds.
A risk-factor study was performed in eight dairy herds found to excrete verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157 in a former prevalence study. Associations between excretion of VTEC O157 and management factors such as housing and feeding were analysed in a generalised linear mixed model. The animals were stratified in three age groups and sampled four times during 1 year. The risk of excreting VTEC O157 was higher among weaned calves than non-weaned calves. Among the calves aged 1-4 months, the risk was reduced if the calf had suckled colostrum from the mother or if the calf had stayed >2 days with the mother after calving. Calves aged 5-24 months that had been moved within the last 2 weeks had a higher risk, but risk was reduced if fed barley silage. Cows fed grain or molasses had a higher risk of excreting VTEC O157.
Rugbjerg
Helene
H
Danish Veterinary Institute, Danish Zoonosis Center, Bülowsvej 27, DK-1790, Copenhagen V, Denmark. hru@vetinst.dk
Nielsen
Eva Møller
EM
Andersen
Jens Strodl
JS
D000375:Aging; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003612:Dairying; D003718:Denmark; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000032:analysis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D022603:Shiga Toxins