Herd-level risk factors associated with <it>Leptospira </it>Hardjo seroprevalence in Beef/Suckler herds in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to investigate risk factors for herd seropositivity to Leptospira Hardjo in Irish suckler herds. Herds were considered eligible for the study if they were unvaccinated and contained ≥ 9 breeding animals of beef breed which were ≥ 12 months of age. The country was divided into six regions using county boundaries. Herd and individual animal prevalence data were available from the results of a concurrent seroprevalence study. Herds were classified as either "Free from Infection" or "Infected" based on a minimum expected 40% within-herd prevalence. Questionnaires were posted to 320 farmers chosen randomly from 6 regions, encompassing 25 counties, of the Republic of Ireland. The questionnaire was designed to obtain information about vaccination; reproductive disease; breeding herd details; the presence of recognized risk factors from previous studies; and husbandry on each farm. Data collected from 128 eligible herds were subjected to statistical analysis. Results Following the use of Pearson's Chi-Square Test, those variables associated with a herd being "infected" with a significance level of P Conclusions Breeding herd size was identified as a significant risk factor for leptospiral infection in Irish suckler herds, which was similar to findings of previous studies of leptospirosis in dairy herds.

Keywords

• Leptospirosis
• Hardjo
• Suckler
• Ireland
• Risk factors
• Questionnaire
• Herd size
• Region