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an epidemiological study of listeriosis in dairy cattle

an epidemiological study of listeriosis in dairy cattle

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ch<strong>an</strong>ce f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> L. monocytogenes <strong>in</strong> the only 1 <strong>of</strong> the abortion samples exam<strong>in</strong>ed<br />

supports this.<br />

L. monocytogenes is also known to be associated with mastitis <strong>an</strong>d the<br />

observation that “stra<strong>in</strong>s” <strong>of</strong> L. monocytogenes which were found <strong>in</strong> faecal samples<br />

were also found <strong>in</strong> the bulk t<strong>an</strong>k merits further <strong>in</strong>vestigation <strong>of</strong> udder <strong>in</strong>fection <strong>an</strong>d the<br />

presence <strong>of</strong> L. monocytogenes <strong>in</strong> milk.<br />

The isolates collected <strong>in</strong> this <strong>study</strong> have partially been identified. Further<br />

<strong>an</strong>alysis <strong>of</strong> these stra<strong>in</strong>s will allow a more detailed <strong>an</strong>alysis <strong>of</strong> the stra<strong>in</strong> specific<br />

patterns <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>fection <strong>in</strong> these herds. The data obta<strong>in</strong>ed dur<strong>in</strong>g the longitud<strong>in</strong>al <strong>study</strong> will<br />

also provide empirical data which will be <strong>of</strong> value <strong>in</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g theoretical models <strong>of</strong><br />

the disease process.<br />

In conclusion, this <strong>study</strong> has identified farm level risk factors which may be<br />

utilised to try <strong>an</strong>d reduce the <strong>in</strong>cidence <strong>of</strong> cl<strong>in</strong>ical disease. It has provided <strong>in</strong>formation<br />

<strong>of</strong> the longitud<strong>in</strong>al pattern <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>fection <strong>in</strong> <strong>dairy</strong> herds <strong>an</strong>d has raised a number <strong>of</strong><br />

questions about the <strong>in</strong>ter-relationship between stra<strong>in</strong>s <strong>an</strong>d between <strong>in</strong>fection <strong>an</strong>d<br />

disease.<br />

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