Dataset Information

Estimation of the impact of Fasciola hepatica infection on time taken for UK beef cattle to reach slaughter weight.

ABSTRACT: Fasciolosis is common in UK beef cattle, but it is unclear at what levels liver fluke burdens cause production losses. This study aimed to address these uncertainties by estimating the impact of liver fluke infection on UK beef cattle productivity and investigating the use of diagnostic tests in a quantitative manner. We built three linear regression models for slaughter age by weight and different measures of liver fluke status, while accounting for sex, breed, season, year and farm of origin. Data were sourced from Scotland's largest red meat abattoir throughout 2013 and 2014. Our Meat Hygiene Service model estimated that cattle classified as having liver fluke damage had on average 10 days greater slaughter age than animals with no evidence of fasciolosis. Our liver fibrosis model estimated that the increase in slaughter age was more severe for higher fibrosis scores. Similarly, our burden model showed an increase in slaughter age for animals with as few as 1 to 10 parasites found in their livers. Lastly, we used receiver operating characteristic curves to show that serum antibody ELISA, copro-antigen ELISA and faecal egg counting can be useful in distinguishing between animals with and without production limiting levels of fasciolosis.

SUBMITTER: Mazeri S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5544673 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Estimation of the impact of Fasciola hepatica infection on time taken for UK beef cattle to reach slaughter weight.

Mazeri Stella S Rydevik Gustaf G Handel Ian I Bronsvoort Barend M deC BMD Sargison Neil N

Scientific reports 20170804 1

Fasciolosis is common in UK beef cattle, but it is unclear at what levels liver fluke burdens cause production losses. This study aimed to address these uncertainties by estimating the impact of liver fluke infection on UK beef cattle productivity and investigating the use of diagnostic tests in a quantitative manner. We built three linear regression models for slaughter age by weight and different measures of liver fluke status, while accounting for sex, breed, season, year and farm of origin. ...[more]

PMID: 28779120

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Project description:BackgroundFasciola hepatica (liver fluke) affects grazing animals including horses but the extent to which it affects UK horses is unknown.ObjectivesTo define how liver fluke affects the UK horse population.Study designDescriptive, cross-sectional, observational study.MethodsAn F. hepatica excretory-secretory antibody detection ELISA with a diagnostic sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 97% was validated and used to analyse serum samples. An abattoir study was performed to determine prevalence. A case-control study of 269 horses compared fluke exposure between horses with liver disease and controls. Data on clinical signs and blood test results were collected for sero-positive horses. Genotyping of adult fluke was used to produce a multilocus genotype for each parasite.ResultsFour (2.2%) of 183 horses registered in the UK, sampled in the abattoir, had adult flukes in the liver, and the sero-prevalence of F. hepatica was estimated as 8.7%. In the case-control study, horses showing signs consistent with liver disease had significantly higher odds of testing positive for F. hepatica on ELISA than control horses. In 23 sero-positive horses, a range of non-specific clinical signs and blood test abnormalities was reported, with a third of the horses showing no signs. Genotypic analysis of liver flukes from horses provided evidence that these came from the same population as flukes from sheep and cattle.Main limitationsBias could have arisen in the prevalence and case-control studies due to convenience sampling methods, in particular the geographic origin of the horses. Only a small number of horses tested positive so the data on clinical signs are limited.ConclusionsExposure to liver fluke occurs frequently in horses and may be an under-recognised cause of liver disease. Flukes isolated from horses are from the same population as those found in ruminants. When designing and implementing parasite control plans, fluke should be considered, and horses should be tested if appropriate.

Project description:BackgroundFasciola hepatica is a parasite with a significant impact on ruminant livestock production. Previous studies in north-west Europe have described its geographical distribution and determined potential predictors of fasciolosis using geographical information system (GIS) and regression modelling. In Sweden, however, information about the distribution of fasciolosis is limited. This study examined the geographical distribution of F. hepatica and identified high-risk areas for beef cattle in Sweden and sought to characterise potential predictors. Beef cattle serum samples were collected during winter 2006-2007 from 2135 herds which were examined for F. hepatica antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fasciolosis distribution maps were created using GIS based on postcode location of seropositive herds. Spatial scan analysis (SaTScan) was performed to determine high-risk areas. Using datasets on animal density, temperature, precipitation and Corine land cover data, including soil type and soil mineral concentrations in Sweden, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out in R software to reveal potential predictors of F. hepatica infection.ResultsOverall herd seroprevalence of F. hepatica in beef cattle was 9.8 % (95 % CI: 8.6-11.1). An irregular spatial distribution of F. hepatica, with two main clusters, was observed in south-west Sweden. The most northerly occurrence of F. hepatica in the world was documented. The final model explained 15.8 % of the variation in F. hepatica distribution in study herds. Absence of coniferous forest was the variable with the highest predictive value. Precipitation in July-September, Dystric Cambisol, Dystric Regosol, and P and Cu concentrations in soil were other negative predictors. Beef cattle herd density, Dystric Leptosol and Fe concentration were positive predictors.ConclusionsThe spatial distribution of F. hepatica in Swedish beef cattle herds is influenced by multi-factorial effects. Interestingly, absence of coniferous forest, herd density, specific soil type and concentration of some soil minerals are more important predictors than climate factors.

Dataset Information

Estimation of the impact of Fasciola hepatica infection on time taken for UK beef cattle to reach slaughter weight.

Publications

Estimation of the impact of Fasciola hepatica infection on time taken for UK beef cattle to reach slaughter weight.

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