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Determining the Prevalence and Seasonality of Fasciola hepatica in Pasture-based Dairy herds in Ireland using a Bulk Tank Milk ELISA
Bloemhoff, Yris Forbes, Andrew Danaher, Martin Good, Barbara Morgan, Eric Mulcahy, Grace Sekiya, Mary Sayers, Riona
Bloemhoff, Yris
Forbes, Andrew
Danaher, Martin
Good, Barbara
Morgan, Eric
Mulcahy, Grace
Sekiya, Mary
Sayers, Riona
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09/07/2015
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Yris Bloemhoff, Andrew Forbes, Martin Danaher, Barbara Good, Eric Morgan, Grace Mulcahy. Irish Veterinary Journal. 2015, 68(1):16
Abstract
Background Fasciola hepatica is a helminth parasite of global importance in livestock, with major economic impact. However information on F. hepatica infections in Irish pasture-based dairy herds is limited. Therefore this study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence, seasonality and management factors associated with F. hepatica. A total of 319 Irish dairy herds were selected for this study. Bulk tank milk (BTM) samples were collected from 290 dairy farms on a quarter year basis, while from a further 29 dairy farms BTM samples were collected on a monthly basis to provide a more detailed pattern of F. hepatica exposure in Irish herds. BTM samples were analysed using a commercially available F. hepatica antibody detection ELISA. Furthermore, within-herd prevalence of F. hepatica was assessed in a subset of these 29 herds (n = 17); both individual serum samples and bulk tank milk samples were collected.
Results
A within-herd prevalence of ≤ 50 % was found for herds with negative bulk tank milk samples. The mean prevalence of the 290 study herds was 75.4 % (Range 52 %–75.1 %), with the highest prevalence being observed in November (75.1 %). The seasonal pattern of F. hepatica shows elevated antibodies as the grazing season progressed, reaching a peak in January. A significant association was found between F. hepatica and age at first calving.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that F. hepatica is present in a large proportion of Irish dairy herds and provides a basis on which control practices, particularly in adult dairy cows, can be reviewed.