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Application of Quantitative Methods in Veterinary Epidemiology

A cross sectional study was performed to assess the epidemiological status of bovine tuberculosis in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 2013. The state was divided into seven regions, and a preset number of herds was randomly sampled in each region. From each farm, female cattle aged 24 months or older were randomly sampled and subjected to the comparative cervical tuberculin test (CCTT). Animals with inconclusive test results were re-tested with the same diagnostic procedure after a minimum interval of 60 days. A total of 31?832 animals were tested from 2?182 farms. An epidemiological questionnaire was administered in the farms to identify risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis. Prevalence in the state was estimated at 4.25% (95% CI: 3.36% – 5.15%) for herds and at 0.56% (95% CI: 0.46% – 0.66%) for animals. Data on herd prevalence for bovine tuberculosis for each stratum showed the highest prevalences at region Sul e Sudoeste (stratum 5) and region Central (stratum 3) which were significantly different from the lowest prevalences found at regions Noroeste, Norte e Nordeste (stratum 1) and region Leste (stratum 2). The highest animal prevalences observed for the region Sul e Sudoeste (stratum 5), region Zona da Mata (stratum 4) and region Central (stratum 3) were significantly different from the lowest ones at region Triângulo Mineiro (stratum 7), region Noroeste, Norte, e Nordeste (stratum 1) and region Leste (stratum 2). The presence of bovine tuberculosis was associated with animal purchase from cattle traders (OR?=?2.59 [95% CI: 1.28 – 5.20]), higher yield intensive dairy (OR?=?7.55 [95% CI: 1.89% – 30.09%]) and non-intensive dairy production (OR?=?3.58 [95% CI: 1.06% – 12.04%]), as well as with herds with 30 or more cows (OR?=?1.97 [95% CI: 1.02 – 3.80]). Non-specific reactors to the CCTT were found in 95.07% (95% CI: 94.05% - 96.09%) of the herds. Therefore, the state of Minas Gerais should implement surveillance systems for the detection and sanitation of infected herds, preferably incorporating risk-based surveillance elements, considering the results of the present study.

Epidemiological status of bovine tuberculosis in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2013

Semina: Ciências Agrárias, Londrina, v. 19, n. 1, mar. 1998

With the aim of supporting the strategic planning of the National Program for Control and Eradication of Brucellosis and Tuberculosis, different Brazilian states have been conducting cross-sectional studies, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply and with scientific support from the University of Sao Paulo and the University of Brasilia. In Santa Catarina, the State Animal Health Agency (CIDASC) conducted a study on bovine tuberculosis (TB) prevalence and assessment of risk factors in 2012. The state was divided into five regions and, in each region, independent sampling was performed in two steps: (i) cattle herds with reproductive activity were randomly selected; and (ii) in each herd, a sample of females aged 24 months or older underwent the intradermal comparative tuberculin test. A questionnaire was used to collect data on production characteristics and management practices that could be associated with the tuberculosis infection. Herd prevalence of bovine TB was 0.50% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.074–0.93%) while the prevalence of TB in adult females was 0.06% (95% CI: 0–0.12%). No significant difference in the prevalence of infected herds and of positive females was observed among the five regions. The logistic regression model revealed that herds with 19 or more females showed an odds ratio (OR) of 7.68 (95% CI: 1.22–48.39) compared to smaller herds, while dairy herds presented an OR of 10.43 (95% CI: 2.00–54.25) relative to beef or dual-purpose herds. The results suggest that dairy herds, in which animals are kept in partial or total confinement, and larger herds, which tend to acquire animals more often, are at a higher risk of bovine TB. Given the low prevalence and the type of higher-risk properties, a bovine TB surveillance system should be targeted at the state’s dairy basins, particularly the western region that accounts for the major industries and more intensive dairy farms.

Prevalence and herd-level risk factors of bovine tuberculosis in the State of Santa Catarina

In 2009, the epidemiological situation of bovine tuberculosis was studied in the state of Mato Grosso, which is a traditional beef exporter. The state was divided into four regions. In each region, properties were selected randomly. A predetermined random number of animals were chosen from these properties, and comparative cervical tuberculin tests were conducted. In total, 28,878 animals from 1,133 properties underwent examination. The animals with inconclusive results were reexamined with the same diagnostic procedure in a minimal interval of 60 days. In each sampled property, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted to identify possible risk factors for the disease. In the state, the prevalence of infected herds and animals was 1.3% [0.7; 2.4] and 0.12% [0.03; 0.44], respectively. Further, the prevalence of infected herds and animals were 0.0% [0.0; 2.0] and 0.0% [0.0; 0.08] in the Pantanal region, 1.3% [0.5; 3.1] and 0.04% [0.01; 0.17] in the dairy region, 0.7% [0.2; 2.7] and 0.01% [0.003; 0.04] in the fattening region, and 1.7% [0.7; 4.1] and 0.24% [0.06; 0.90] in the breeding region, respectively. It was observed that the condition of the herds infected with bovine tuberculosis was associated with milk production, European or mestizo breeds, degree of sophistication in the production mode, and herd size of up to 486 animals. Therefore, the implementation of a monitoring system for detection and elimination of the residual infected herds along with incorporation of risk-based monitoring elements is the best strategy for the state.

Epidemiological situation of bovine tuberculosis in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil

A cross-sectional study was carried out between January 2012 and May 2014 to investigate the status of bovine tuberculosis in the state of Espirito Santo. The state was divided into two regions, and in each of them, 300 farms with reproductive activity were randomly selected and considered as the primary sampling units. In the selected farms, a fixed number of female bovines aged over 2 years were randomly selected to undergo a comparative cervical tuberculin test; an epidemiologic questionnaire was also applied. In the state of Espirito Santo, the apparent prevalence of tuberculosis-positive farms was 7.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.7-9.9). Prevalence at the herd level varied from 4.6% (95% CI = 2.6-7.3) in region 1 to 11.1% (95% CI = 7.7-15.3) in region 2. The apparent prevalence of tuberculosis-positive animals was 0.7% (95% CI = 0.3-1.1) in the state, and the prevalence varied from 0.3% (95% CI = 0.2-0.6) in region 1 to 1.2% (95% CI = 0.3-2.9) in region 2. The risk factors associated with tuberculosis prevalence in Espirito Santo were the number of adult females ? 10 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.40; 95% CI = 1.17-5.31) and milking type (milking machine/milking parlor) (OR = 2.88; 95% CI = 1.36-5.86]). The state of Espirito Santo should set up a surveillance system to detect and control bovine tuberculosis, taking into account the importance of dairy farms and animal trade in the state.

Epidemiologic characterization of bovine tuberculosis in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

A cross-sectional study was carried out between January 2012 and May 2014 to estimate the prevalence of bovine brucellosis in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil. This study was carried out 11 years after the implementation of the immunization program for heifers with a vaccine derived from the S19 strain of Brucella abortus. The state was divided into two regions. Three hundred farms from each region, with reproductive activity, were randomly chosen and included as primary sample units. A fixed number of cows were randomly selected and tested for antibodies against Brucella spp. A farm was considered to be infected when at least one female tested positive for Brucella spp. In the selected farms, an epidemiological questionnaire based survey, focused on herd traits as well as husbandry and sanitary practices, was conducted, to evaluate the factors associated with the risk of infection. The overall prevalence of infected herds was 9.3% (95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 7.1–11.8%), varying from 8.7% (95% CI = 5.7–12.6%) in region 2 to 9.7% (95% CI = 6.8–13.4%) in region 1. There was no significant difference in the prevalence between the regions. The apparent prevalence of Brucella spp. positive farms across the regions and the state was similar to the prevalence observed 11 years earlier. The prevalence of positive animals was 3.8% (95% CI = 0.9–10.1%), varying from 1.5% (95% CI = 0.8–2.4%) in region 1 to 7.9% (95% CI = 1.9–20.3%) in region 2, without a significant difference between the regions. There was no difference in the number of Brucella spp. positive animals after 11 years of the immunization program. The risk factors associated with brucellosis were (i) more than 10 cows per herd (OR = 5.0; 95% CI =2.5–11.1) and (ii) equipment, feedstock, or personnel sharing (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1–4.2). The state of Espirito Santo should seek systematic vaccination coverage targeting more than 80% of the eligible heifers. An efficient animal health program, which educates the farmers to test replacement animals for brucellosis before introducing them to their herds, to avoid equipment, personnel or feedstock sharing with farms of unknown sanitary conditions, and to increase awareness of the importance of good sanitary procedures during artificial insemination, should be implemented.

An update on the epidemiologic situation of bovine brucellosis in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

The eosinophilic granuloma is characterized by dense cellular infiltration of eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells, in addition to collagenolysis foci. Canine eosinophilic granuloma is a rare inflammatory skin disease that affects the oral mucosa. However, the cutaneous form is more evident and can be in the scrotum, testicles, perineum, and flanks. The etiology of eosinophilic granuloma in dogs is not clear but allergic processes can originate granulomatous nodules or plaques. Affected dogs may experience itching, swelling, and, occasionally, pain. The histopathological analysis is necessary for definitive diagnosis. The present case report described a 12-year-old male dog, Poodle, with a history of swelling, itching, and pain in the scrotum. Complete clinical staging was performed through blood count, biochemistry analysis, thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and electrocardiogram. The dog was submitted to surgical removal followed by histopathologic evaluation. Eosinophilic granuloma should be included in the differential diagnosis of solitary masses in the scrotal region.

Daniele da Costa

Papers

Epidemiologic characterization of bovine tuberculosis in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

An update on the epidemiologic situation of bovine brucellosis in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Atypical eosinophilic granuloma in a dog. Case report