title: Epidemiology of reproductive pathogens in semi-intensive lamb-producing flocks in North-West Spain: a comparative serological study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to better understand the epidemiology of five major reproductive pathogens in semi-intensive lamb-producing flocks in North-West Spain. Two thousand four hundred serum samples were collected from 44 flocks, and several factors were studied to assess their influence on seropositivity. Farms that tested seropositive for more than one pathogen were common (84.1%), but seroprevalence was high only for Toxoplasma gondii (38.1%), and low for the other four pathogens, namely, Neospora caninum (5.5%), Coxiella burnetii (4.0%), Chlamydia abortus (3.9%) and Pestivirus (2.3%). Farm level exposure was highest for T. gondii and N. caninum (100% and 72.7%, respectively). For both of these pathogens, and for C. burnetii, seropositivity was associated with age and area. Farm level exposure was lowest for Pestivirus and C. abortus (13.6% and 18.2%, respectively), and, for the latter, seropositivity was principally related to flock size.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain. Electronic address: jmdchh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valverde
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Noelia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lago
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Panadero
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Ceferino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Patrocinio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morrondo
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Díez-Baños
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Lamb-producing; Reproductive pathogens; Semi-intensive; Seroprevalence