1. Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with seropositivity in sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.
- Author
-
Grosse Beilage E, Rohde N, and Krieter J
- Subjects
- Animals, Cross-Sectional Studies, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay methods, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay veterinary, Female, Germany, West epidemiology, Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical veterinary, Pneumonia of Swine, Mycoplasmal prevention & control, Pneumonia of Swine, Mycoplasmal transmission, Pregnancy, Risk Factors, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Swine, Animal Husbandry methods, Antibodies, Bacterial blood, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae immunology, Pneumonia of Swine, Mycoplasmal epidemiology
- Abstract
Risk factors for the spread of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in sows have not been studied although vertical transmission from sows to their offspring is considered a significant risk factor in the development of enzootic pneumonia in growers and finishers. Seropositivity for M. hyopneumoniae in sows, as assessed by commercial ELISA, is a possible indicator of infection pressure among sows. The objective of this study was to estimate seroprevalence and associated risk factors of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2578 sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany. Data concerning general herd characteristics, acclimatisation practices, indoor and outside contacts, as well as data describing the immediate local environment were collected during a herd visit via questionnaire. Blood samples were seropositive in 65% of the 2578 sows, and all herds had >/=14% seropositive sows. Data analysis was performed in two steps. First, univariate analysis of predictor variables for the risk of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae was performed using chi-square test. Secondly, all variables associated with the risk of a sow being seropositive (P
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF