Risk factors for the presence of Fasciola hepatica antibodies in bulk-milk samples and their association with milk production decreases in Cuban dairy cattle

摘要

BackgroundWorldwide, Fasciola hepatica infection causes high production losses in the livestock industry. Recently, studies have analyzed the association between measurements of F. hepatica infection intensity and herd management practices. The aim of the present study, the first of its kind in a subtropical region, was to evaluate associations between F. hepatica bulk-tank milk ELISA results with herd management factors and milk yield in dairy herds, in Camagüey, Cuba. The SVANOVIR® F. hepatica-AB ELISA was used to measure F. hepatica antibody levels in a random sample of 516 dairy herds during the period of May–July of 2014. Farm management practice data were collected using a questionnaire.