title: Haemonchus contortus: spatial risk distribution for infection in sheep in Europe.
abstract: Haemonchus contortus is a species of gastrointestinal strongyles of primary concern for sheep. This highly pathogenic, blood-feeding helminth negatively influences animal health, welfare and productivity. In order to elucidate the current scenario in terms of prevalence and intensity of H. contortus infection in sheep farms across Europe, a standardized crosssectional survey was conducted in three pilot areas in Ireland, Switzerland and Italy, all part of the EU funded GLOWORM project. Two consecutive field surveys (in 2012 and 2013) were conducted in the three countries in the same period (August-October) in 259 sheep farms in total. Harmonized, diagnostic procedures (from farm to laboratory) based on pooled samples, the FLOTAC technique and coproculture were used. The georeferenced parasitological results were modelled (at the pilot area level) following a Bayesian geostatistical approach with correction for preferential sampling and accounting for climatic and environmental covariates. The observed H. contortus prevalence rates did vary between the countries showing high values in Switzerland (77%) and Italy (73%) compared to Ireland (4%). Spatial patterns of H. contortus distribution were detected in Switzerland and Italy with a north-south gradient. The latent factor analysis highlighted the importance of seasonality and annual cyclicity within country (particularly in southern Italy), while mean temperature and rainfall dominated between country variations in the prevalence of H. contortus infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples; CREMOPAR Campania Region, Naples. lrinaldi@unina.it.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Catelan
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Musella
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cecconi
authors.forename: Hubertus
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hertzberg
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Torgerson
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mavrot
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: De Waal
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Selemetas
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coll
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosco
authors.forename: Annibale
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biggeri
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cringoli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006188:Haemonchiasis / Q000662:veterinary*; D015995:Prevalence; D011891:Rain; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D013696:Temperature