A significant association was found between herd size (quartiles) and herd-level seroprevalence classification for BoHV-1 based on cut-off percentage positivity (COPP) (p? ?0.01) while no such association was found for BVDV (p?=?0.22) (Table?3). Table 2 Herd level serological classification percentage by herd type thead valign=”top” th rowspan=”2″ align=”remaining” valign=”middle” colspan=”1″ Herd type /th th colspan=”4″ align=”center” valign=”bottom” rowspan=”1″ Herd level serological classification % hr / /th th align=”center” rowspan=”1″ colspan=”1″ BoHV-1 bad /th th align=”center” rowspan=”1″ colspan=”1″ BoHV-1 DM1-SMCC positive /th th align=”center” rowspan=”1″ colspan=”1″ BVDV bad /th th align=”center” rowspan=”1″ colspan=”1″ BVDV positive /th /thead Beef hr / 25.3 hr / 74.7 hr / 1.7 hr / 98.3 hr / Dairy13.586.51.598.5 Open in a separate window Table 3 Herd level serological classification percentage by herd size (quartiles) thead valign=”top” th rowspan=”2″ align=”remaining” valign=”middle” colspan=”1″ Herd size /th th colspan=”4″ align=”center” valign=”bottom” rowspan=”1″ Herd level serological classification % hr / /th th align=”center” rowspan=”1″ colspan=”1″ BoHV-1 bad /th th align=”center” rowspan=”1″ colspan=”1″ BoHV-1 positive /th th align=”center” rowspan=”1″ colspan=”1″ BVDV bad /th th align=”center” rowspan=”1″ colspan=”1″ BVDV positive /th /thead Q1 hr / 37.1 hr / 62.9 hr / 3.5 hr / 96.5 hr / Q2 hr / 23.1 hr / 76.9 hr / 1.0 hr / 99.0 hr / Q3 hr / 17.3 hr / 82.7 hr / 0 hr / 100 hr / Q4 hr / 8.6 hr / 91.4 hr / 1.9 hr / 98.1 hr / ?p? ?0.01p?=?0.22 Open in a separate window Discussion and conclusions Apparent herd-level DM1-SMCC prevalence of BoHV-1 and BVDV in non-vaccinating herds in Northern Ireland was 77.3% (95% CI: 73.6C80.9%) and 98.4% (95% CI: 97.3C99.5%), respectively. National herd-level seroprevalence expressed as a percentage of positive herds depends on the determined cut-off, which in turn depends on estimated within-herd prevalence. dairy and beef herds (74.7% vs 86.5% respectively; p? ?0.02) though not for BVDV seroprevalence (98.5% vs 98.3% respectively; p? Rabbit Polyclonal to U12 ?0.91). A significant association was found between herd size (quartiles) and herd-level classification for BoHV-1 herd-level seroprevalence based on cut-off percentage positivity (COPP) (p? ?0.01) while no such association was found for BVDV (p?=?0.22). 15.5% and 23.8% of farmers used BoHV-1 and BVDV vaccines, respectively. BoHV-1 vaccine was used in 30% of dairy herds and in 11% of beef herds, while BVDV vaccine was used in 46% and 16% of dairy and beef DM1-SMCC herds, respectively. Conclusions The results from this study indicate that the true herd-level seroprevalences to bovine herpesvirus 1 and bovine disease diarrhoea disease in non-vaccinating herds in Northern Northern Ireland are 77.3% (95% CI: 73.6C80.9%) and 98.4% (95% CI: 97.3C99.5%), respectively. The present study will assist in guiding regional policy development and establish a baseline against which the progress of current and long term control and eradication programmes can be measured. Background Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) and bovine viral diarrhoea disease (BVDV) cause infectious diseases of cattle with a worldwide distribution [1,2]. A number of Member Claims within the European Union (EU) possess either successfully eradicated these infections or are currently implementing voluntary or compulsory programmes. Herd-level antibody prevalence of each infection shows a wide variance between countries. Strategies for their control and eradication have been previously examined [1,3]. In Northern Ireland, limited info is available concerning BoHV-1 illness, albeit from a biased subset of outbreaks [4]. While more information is available concerning seroprevalence of BVDV, this study was restricted to dairy herds. Approximately 90% of those herds were classified with higher grouping for seropositivity, while 5.4% were positive for viral antigen [5]. Furthermore it is a while since this work was carried out. As yet, herd-level prevalence has not been evaluated for either for beef or dairy herds for BoHV-1 or for beef herds for BVDV, and data are not available concerning strategies (including vaccination) being utilized to control these infections in Northern Ireland. An understanding of the prevalence of these diseases and vaccine utilization in their control is necessary for developing and implementing effective national control measures. A number of Member Claims within the European DM1-SMCC Union (EU) are considered free of BoHV-1 including Denmark, Germany (the Federal government State of Bavaria), Italy (the Province of Bolzano), Austria, Finland, and Sweden [6] while Norway and Switzerland will also be considered free [7]. Additional countries have EU accredited eradication programmes for BoHV-1 in place (Czech Republic, Germany (all areas, except the Federal government State of Bavaria), and Italy (the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Autonomous Province of Trento) [6]. Several other European countries possess national control programmes that are not yet accredited by EU legislation. Similarly for BVDV eradication, programmes have been completed or are well-advanced in Scandinavia, Austria and Switzerland. Compulsory national programmes will also be underway in Germany and Republic of Ireland and regional eradication programmes have been implemented in France and in the UK (Scotland, Shetland, Orkney and Northern Ireland) [8]. This study identifies aspects of BoHV-1 and BVDV infections and their control on farms in Northern Ireland, including herd-level seroprevalence (based on pooled sera) and vaccine utilization. Methods Sample collection Pooled serumAs part of the national statutory brucellosis eradication plan, serum samples.