Temporal and farm-management-associated variation in faecal-pat prevalence of Campylobacter fetus in sheep and cattle.
The faecal-pat prevalence (as estimated by culture) of Campylobacter fetus from cattle and sheep on 19 farms in rural Lancashire was investigated using standard Campylobacter culture techniques and PCR during a 2-year longitudinal study. C. fetus was isolated from 9·48% [95% confidence interval (CI) 8·48-10·48] of cattle faecal pats and 7·29% (95% CI 6·21-9·62) of sheep faecal pats. There was evidence of significant differences in shedding prevalence between geographical regions; cows in geographical zone 3 had an increased risk of shedding C. fetus compared to cows in geographical zones 1 and 2 (OR 6·64, 95% CI 1·67-26·5, P = 0·007), as did cows at pasture (OR 1·66, 95% CI 1·01-2·73, P = 0·046) compared to when housed. Multiple logistic regression modelling demonstrated underlying seasonal periodicity in both species.
School of Veterinary Science and Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
J S
JS
Duncan
28 Kings Road, Crosby, Merseyside, UK.
A J H
AJ
Leatherbarrow
mEpiLab and Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Hopkirk Research Institute, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
N P
NP
French
School of Veterinary Science and Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
D H
DH
Grove-White
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002168:Campylobacter fetus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008954:Models, Biological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D015047:Zoonoses