title: Prevalence and risk factors for Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in Dutch dairy cattle herds based on bulk tank milk testing.
abstract: Despite cattle herds can harbor Coxiella burnetii, risk factors for C. burnetii presence in dairy cattle herds are largely unknown. Therefore, C. burnetii herd prevalence and risk factors for bulk tank milk (BTM) positivity were investigated. In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was filled out by the farmer and BTM from 301 farms was tested by ELISA for presence of C. burnetii antibodies and PCR for presence of C. burnetii DNA. Risk factors were identified by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Antibodies to C. burnetii were detected in 81.6% (CI: 77.2-85.9) and C. burnetii DNA in 18.8% (CI: 14.4-23.1) of the BTM samples. Herd size (OR=1.1 per 10 cows), cleaning the bedding of the cubicles at most every other day (OR=2.8) and purchase of cattle from at least two addresses (OR=3.1) showed a significant and positive association with ELISA positivity and use of an automatic milking system a negative association (OR=0.3). Risk factors for PCR positivity were purchase of cattle from at least two delivery addresses (OR=3.2), presence of cows with ticks (OR=2.0), use of an automatic milking system (OR=0.2) and presence of goats or sheep on the farm (OR=0.4). Biosecurity and general hygiene seem associated with introduction and spread of C. burnetii in dairy herds.
authors.affiliation: GD Animal Health, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, The Netherlands. Electronic address: e.v.engelen@gddiergezondheid.nl.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Engelen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schotten
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schimmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care, Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health (AMPHI), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J L A
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hautvast
authors.affiliation: GD Animal Health, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Schaik
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Y T H P
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: van Duijnhoven
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016997:Coxiella burnetii; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Dairy cattle; Prevalence; Q fever; Risk factors