Study on Ovine Paratuberculosis in Dairy Flocks in Italy
Author Information
Author(s): Anna Rita Attili, Victor Ngu Ngwa, Silvia Preziuso, Luciana Pacifici, Anastasia Domesi, Vincenzo Cuteri
Primary Institution: School of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Camerino
Hypothesis
What is the seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in ovine dairy farms of the Marche region, Italy?
Conclusion
The study found a 6.29% seroprevalence of MAP infection in sampled sheep, with 73.7% of flocks being infected.
Supporting Evidence
- 73.7% of the flocks tested were found to be infected with MAP.
- The mean seroprevalence among sampled sheep was 6.29%.
- 12.6% of infected farms confirmed MAP infection through faecal culture.
- Significant differences in seroprevalence were observed based on herd size and lactation stage.
- The true prevalence of MAP infection was estimated to be 15.1% ± 7.3%.
Takeaway
The study looked at sheep in Italy to see how many had a certain germ that can make them sick, and found that about 6 out of every 100 sheep were infected.
Methodology
A stratified study was conducted on 2086 adult female sheep from 38 herds, using a commercial ELISA test to determine seroprevalence.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in herd selection and self-reported data from farmers.
Limitations
The study was limited to two provinces in the Marche region and may not represent the entire ovine population in Italy.
Participant Demographics
The study included adult female sheep from various breeds in dairy and mixed production herds.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0269
Confidence Interval
15.1% ± 7.3%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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