Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Bovine Brucellosis and Abortion in Holstein Heifers

J. Mellado; N.Y. Ávila-Serrano; Á. de Santiago; U. Macías-Cruz; L. Avendaño-Reyes; P. Álvarez; M. Mellado

doi:10.15407/agrisp13.01.020

J. Mellado Department of Animal Nutrition, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, 25315 Saltillo, Mexico http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2093-1729
N.Y. Ávila-Serrano Department of Animal Science, Sea University, 71980 Puerto Escondido, Mexico http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4043-501X
Á. de Santiago Department of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, 27054 Torreon, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5491-0662
U. Macías-Cruz Institute of Agriculture Science, Autonomous University of Baja California, 21705 Mexicali, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6947-2247
L. Avendaño-Reyes Institute of Agriculture Science, Autonomous University of Baja California, 21705 Mexicali, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5477-5707
P. Álvarez Department of Renewable Natural Resources, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, 25315 Saltillo, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2666-3999
M. Mellado Department of Animal Nutrition, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, 25315 Saltillo, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3341-0060

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/agrisp13.01.020

Keywords: body condition score, diarrhea, metritis, pneumonia, RB51 vaccine, retained placenta

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis (bBR) and identify risk factors associated with seropositivity to this disease. An additional aim was to evaluate heifer-related risk factors for abortion. Methods: A total of 3,848 Holstein heifers with a single lactation from a large commercial dairy herd in northern Mexico (25°N) participated in this study. Multiple regression models were employed to analyze risk factors for brucellosis seropositivity rate and to calculate odds ratios, quantifying the strength of the risks. Results: The seroprevalence of bBR was 30% (95% CI=29–32%) for lactating heifers (card test). Heifers weighing more than 680 kg at calving had half the risk of testing positive for bBR compared to those weighing less than 680 kg (22.7% vs. 36.1%). The risk of being seropositive for bBR increased in heifers with retained placenta compared to those without this reproductive disorder (OR=2.46; 47.5% vs. 26.3%). Heifers vaccinated with two doses of a commercial brucellosis vaccine had 2.2 times higher odds of being seropositive for bBR compared with those vaccinated only once (P<0.01). Seropositive heifers for bBR were 3.1 times more likely to abort than seronegative heifers (38.5% vs. 16.2%; P<0.01). Heifers with a body condition score (BCS) of 3.5 or higher at calving were less likely to abort than heifers with BCS<3.5. Conclusions: Brucellosis control programs should prioritize age at first calving, placenta retention, and the number of RB51 vaccinations administered to Holstein heifers.

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