title: Herd-level risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in dairy-goat kids in western France.
abstract: We conducted a cross-sectional study of risk factors for herd-level kid positivity for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in dairy-goat farms (Deux-Sèvres, western France). From January to March 2003, faeces from a convenient sample of 879 5- to 30-day-old goat kids from 60 herds were examined microscopically after staining with carbol fuschin. Oocyst shedding was scored semi-quantitatively (0 to 4+) allowing us to obtain a cumulative score per herd. Standardized questionnaires with information about management practices were collected in each farm. We found positive kids in 32 of 60 herds (53.3%) and in 142 animals out of 879 (16.2%). We used logistic regression for two risk-factor model: (1) simple positive (case: herd score > or = 1+, at least one positive kid in the herd, versus control: herd score=0), (2) strongly positive (case: overall herd score > or = 3+ versus control: herd score <3+). Risk factors associated with simple positive herds were period of sampling compared to the peak of births (After versus Before, OR=4.2, 95% CI 1.2, 15.3) and practice of kid grouping by age or weight (Yes versus No, OR=4.4, 95% CI 1.0, 19.1). Risk factors associated with strongly positive herds were period of investigation (February/March versus January, OR=12.7, 95% CI 2.1, 76.6), exposure to graminaceous plants in forage (OR=11.6, 95% CI 1.7, 81.0) and type of ventilation in the goat premises (Vertical versus Wind effect, OR=14.7, 95% CI 2.1, 106.1). No important association was found between kid-management practices and herd positivity. These results suggest a major role of the environment of kids during their first hours of life in the adult-goat premises regarding the transmission of C. parvum infection.
authors.affiliation: AFSSA Site de NIORT, Laboratoire d'Etudes et de Recherches Caprines, 60 Rue de Pied de Fond, Niort Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delafosse
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Castro-Hermida
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baudry
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ares-Mazás
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chartier
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000469:parasitology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006041:Goats; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D033661:Oocysts; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires