Prevalence of Salmonella in Free-Range Pigs: Risk Factors and Intestinal Microbiota Composition

Extensive pig systems are gaining importance as quality production systems and as the standard for sustainable rural development and animal welfare. However, the effects of natural foods on Salmonella epidemiology remain unknown. Herein, we assessed the presence of Salmonella and the composition of the gut microbiota in pigs from both Salmonella-free and high Salmonella prevalence farms. In addition, risk factors associated with the presence of Salmonella were investigated. The pathogen was found in 32.2% of animals and 83.3% of farms, showing large differences in prevalence between farms. Most isolates were serovars Typhimurium monophasic (79.3%) and Bovismorbificans (10.3%), and exhibited a multi-drug resistance profile (58.6%). Risk factor analysis identified feed composition, type/variety of vegetation available, and silos’ cleaning/disinfection as the main factors associated with Salmonella prevalence. Clear differences in the intestinal microbiota were found between Salmonella-positive and Salmonella-negative populations, showing the former with increasing Proteobacteria and decreasing Bacteroides populations. Butyrate and propionate producers including Clostridium, Turicibacter, Bacteroidaceae_uc, and Lactobacillus were more abundant in the Salmonella-negative group, whereas acetate producers like Sporobacter, Escherichia or Enterobacter were more abundant in the Salmonella-positive group. Overall, our results suggest that the presence of Salmonella in free-range pigs is directly related to the natural vegetation accessible, determining the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

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Risk factors associated with cows' lying time, stall and cows' own cleanliness in smallholder dairy farms in Kenya

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2019.1085-1092 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 1085-1092

Author(s):

E. K. Kathambi ◽

J. A. VanLeeuwen ◽

G. K. Gitau ◽

C. Kamunde

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Management Practices ◽

Production Systems ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Farm Level ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Factors Associated ◽

The Mean ◽

Smallholder Dairy

Background and Aim: The welfare of animals kept in livestock production systems has raised concerns around the world. Adult dairy cattle require adequate rest and spend approximately 12 h/day lying down. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the stall factors and management practices affecting cows' lying time, stall cleanliness, and cows' cleanliness (udder and upper leg), in smallholder dairy cows in Meru County of Kenya. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 milking cows from 73 farms were assessed for daily lying time and cleanliness. Data loggers were used to record the lying time of cows for 3 days. Stall, udder, and upper leg cleanliness were assessed using a 5-score system: 1 (very clean) to 5 (very dirty). Management information was acquired using a questionnaire that was administered face-to-face to the farmers in their native Kimeru language. Univariable and multivariable linear and logistic regression models were fit to determine factors associated with cows' lying time and dichotomized stall and cows' own cleanliness, respectively. Results: The mean daily lying time was 10.9±2.2 h, and the mean stall cleanliness score was 2.4±1.0. The mean average cleanliness scores of the udder and upper legs were 1.9±0.7 and 2.5±1.1, respectively. Overall, 35% of the stalls were categorized as dirty (>2.5), whereas 13% and 47% of the cows had udder and leg cleanliness scores >2.5, respectively. From the final multivariable models (p<0.05), daily lying time increased by 1.0 h for cows older than 5.25 years versus younger cows. Conversely, lying time decreased by 1.0 h with stall cleanliness scores >2.5 and by 1.6 h with poorly positioned neck rails. In an interaction term, addition of new bedding at least once a day without removing stall manure at least once a day decreased the daily lying time of the cows by 1.5 h, whereas failure to add new bedding at least once a day but removing stall manure at least once a day decreased the lying time of the cows by 1.2 h. Farm-level risk factors for stall dirtiness (>2.5) included delayed cleaning of the alley (odds ratio [OR]=6.6, p=0.032), lack of bedding (OR=4.9, p=0.008), and standing idle and/or backward in the stall (OR=10.5, p=0.002). Stalls categorized as dirty (OR=2.9, p=0.041) and lack of bedding (OR=2.7, p=0.065) were cow- and farm-level risk factors for dirtiness of the udder (>2.5), respectively, whereas the stall being dirty (OR=2.3, p=0.043) was the only risk factor (cow level) for dirtiness of the upper legs (>2.5). Conclusion: It was recommended that farmers should pay attention to the specific factors identified regarding the stall design (e.g., neck rail position) and bedding/manure management that impact the cleanliness of cows and their lying time.

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A study of risk factors associated with Newcastle disease epidemics in village free-range chickens in Uganda

Tropical Animal Health and Production ◽

10.1007/s11250-006-4441-1 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 27-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

M. O. Otim ◽

E. K. Kabagambe ◽

G. M. Mukiibi ◽

H. Christensen ◽

M. Bisgaard

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Newcastle Disease ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Free Range ◽

Disease Epidemics

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Prevalence and risk factors for porcine cysticercosis in rural communities of eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-736x2017000900001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (9) ◽

pp. 905-910 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Emilio C. Acevedo-Nieto ◽

Paulo S.A. Pinto ◽

Letícia F. Silva ◽

Rafaella P.M. Guimarães-Peixoto ◽

Tatiane O. Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Taenia Solium ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Human Faeces ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Free Range ◽

Porcine Cysticercosis

ABSTRACT: Cysticercosis is caused by Taenia solium, a parasitic zoonosis that affects human and pigs raised free-range in developing countries. The epidemiology of the taeniosis cysticercosis complex in Brazil is poorly understood especially when it comes to field research. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify the risk factors associated with porcine cysticercosis in rural communities located in the east of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. From 371 farms in the county of Tumiritinga/MG, 101 farms from 14 communities were randomly sampled. Blood samples from pigs were collected, and epidemiological questionnaires were carried out. The serum samples obtained were analyzed through immunodiagnosis techniques, including ELISA and Western Blot, both for the detection of antibodies. The data obtained by different surveys were analyzed using EpiInfo 3.5.1 software to determine seroprevalence and risk factors associated with cysticercosis. The prevalence of farms with porcine cysticercosis was 9.9% (10/101) and antibody-based seropositive was 5.3% (13/247). The results indicate that cysticercosis occurs in high level in the rural area never studied before. These results suggest the presence of tapeworm carriers contributing to the occurrence and maintenance of this zoonotic life cycle in the county. Regarding risk factors, the most significant determinants for porcine cysticercosis in the field were free-range pig management (OR: 17.4, p: 0.0001), the method of disposal of human faeces in the environmental (OR: 7.6; p 0.012), and the size of the farm. Porcine cysticercosis was diagnosed only in areas represented by Agrarian Reform Settlements. From the results, it is possible to recommend as a means of control and prevention the destination of human faeces in appropriate sanitary landfills and the production of pigs in an enclosed area. Additionally, improving education in the communities sampled will indirectly affect the spreading of this disease. The results draw attention to the largest studies of this zoonotic disease in human settlements from rural areas due to the lack of knowledge about the epidemiology of the taeniosis-cysticercosis complex. The results could serve as the basis to support public policies aimed at creating an effective program to control the taeniosis-cysticercosis complex in the studied area. Awareness of TC among medical doctors, veterinarians, meat animal family producers and the public should be developed through appropriate information and education.

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Risk factors associated with occurrence of nematodes in free range pigs in Busia District, Kenya

Tropical Animal Health and Production ◽

10.1007/s11250-011-9951-9 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 657-664 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

John Maina Kagira ◽

Paul Njuki Kanyari ◽

Samuel Maina Githigia ◽

Ndicho Maingi ◽

James Chege Ng’ang’a ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Free Range

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Neospora caninum infection in cattle in the state of Amazonas, Brazil: seroprevalence, spatial distribution and risk factors

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-296120201083 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Paulo Cesar Gonçalves de Azevedo Filho ◽

Müller Ribeiro-Andrade ◽

Jomel Francisco dos Santos ◽

Arthêmio Coelho dos Reis ◽

José Wilton Pinheiro Júnior ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Spatial Distribution ◽

Production Systems ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

The State ◽

Control Measures ◽

Risk Indicators ◽

Caninum Infection ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Madeira River

Abstract Livestock in the Amazon has grown significantly and, although neosporosis in cattle has been reported worldwide, there is no information about N. caninum in production systems in the state of Amazonas. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle, their spatial distribution and the risk factors associated with N. caninum infection in the state of Amazonas. Questionnaires were applied to farmers to assess risk factors associated with N. caninum infection. Blood samples were collected from 1,073 animals on 47 farms in 33 municipalities in the four Amazonian subpopulations. IgG anti-N.caninum antibodies were detected by the indirect fluorescence test, with a general prevalence of 30.2%, being seropositive in 43 farms (91.5%), with prevalence ranging from 2.2% to 69.2%. The highest number of high density points was found in subpopulation 3 (municipality of Apuí and other municipalities on the Madeira River and affluent). It was concluded that N. caninum is present with high seroprevalence values, when compared to other cattle producing states in the Amazon region of Brazil. The identified factors can be used as risk indicators so that control measures can be implemented to prevent infection by N. caninum in these herds.

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