Epidemiology and impact of Fasciola hepatica exposure in high-yielding dairy herds.

ABSTRACT: The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is a trematode parasite with a worldwide distribution and is the cause of important production losses in the dairy industry. The aim of this observational study was to assess the prevalence of exposure to F. hepatica in a group of high yielding dairy herds, to determine the risk factors and investigate their associations with production and fertility parameters. Bulk milk tank samples from 606 herds that supply a single retailer with liquid milk were tested with an antibody ELISA for F. hepatica. Multivariable linear regression was used to investigate the effect of farm management and environmental risk factors on F. hepatica exposure. Higher rainfall, grazing boggy pasture, presence of beef cattle on farm, access to a stream or pond and smaller herd size

SUBMITTER: Howell A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4528078 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature