Which Factors Influence the Consumption of Antibiotics in Q-Fever-Positive Dairy Farms in Northern Germany?

Simple Summary: Q fever is an infection caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. It can be transmitted from animals to humans, and the infection is usually airborne. In cattle, infection with Coxiella burnetii can lead to increased abortions, premature births or stillbirths, and weak calves. Since 2010, it has been possible to vaccinate cows against Q fever with the vaccine COXEVAC^® (Ceva Santé Animale). It was the aim of this study to examine whether the usage of this vaccine could reduce the consumption of antibiotics in Q-fever-positive dairy farms. Antimicrobial use and detailed information on herd data, nutrition, milking management, housing, and animal health were documented and evaluated on 36 vaccinated and 13 non-vaccinated dairy farms. The findings of the present study suggest that more antibiotics were used on non-vaccinated dairy farms than on vaccinated dairy farms. Neither herd size nor milk yield level influenced the consumption of antibiotics in the study herds. Floor type and udder-cluster disinfection while milking were associated with a lower and higher therapy frequency, respectively. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the cause–effect relationship between vaccination and the consumption of antibiotics on dairy farms in Northern Germany. It was the aim of this study to examine whether the usage of the vaccine COXEVAC^® (Ceva Santé Animale) could reduce the consumption of antibiotics in Q-fever-positive dairy farms. Additionally, the effects of other herd-level factors on the consumption of antibiotics were investigated. A total of 36 farms with vaccination and 13 farms without vaccination participated in this longitudinal cohort study. In all herds, Coxiella burnetii had been directly or indirectly diagnosed. To compare the treatment frequency of antibiotics between the vaccinated group and the non-vaccinated group, the consumption of antibiotics for each farm was collected using the veterinary documents about the application and delivery of antibiotics. To gather detailed information about herd data, nutrition, milking management, housing, and animal health, the farmers were interviewed with the help of a questionnaire. The results thereof suggest that there might be an association between the vaccination against Q fever and a reduced consumption of antibiotics. Neither herd size nor milk yield level influenced the consumption of antibiotics in the study herds. Type of flooring and udder-cluster disinfection while milking were associated with a lower and higher therapy frequency, respectively. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the cause–effect relationship between vaccination and the consumption of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]