The efficacy of litter management strategies to prevent morbidity and mortality in broiler chickens: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted to address the question, 'What is the efficacy of litter management strategies to reduce morbidity, mortality, condemnation at slaughter, or total antibiotic use in broilers?' Eligible studies were clinical trials published in English evaluating the efficacy of litter management in broilers on morbidity, condemnations at slaughter, mortality, or total antibiotic use. Multiple databases and two conference proceedings were searched for relevant literature. After relevance screening and data extraction, there were 50 trials evaluating litter type, 22 trials evaluating litter additives, 10 trials comparing fresh to re-used litter, and six trials evaluating floor type. NMAs were conducted for mortality (61 trials) and for the presence or absence of footpad lesions (15 trials). There were no differences in mortality among the litter types, floor types, or additives. For footpad lesions, peat moss appeared beneficial compared to straw, based on a small number of comparisons. In a pairwise meta-analysis, there was no association between fresh versus used litter on the risk of mortality, although there was considerable heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 66%). There was poor reporting of key design features in many studies, and analyses rarely accounted for non-independence of observations within flocks.

Prevalence and risk factors for Coxiella burnetii seropositivity in small ruminant veterinarians and veterinary students in Ontario, Canada.

Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic pathogen that causes Q fever in humans. Serological and questionnaire data on C. burnetii were obtained from 32 small ruminant veterinarians and veterinary students in Ontario, Canada, in February 2012. Overall, 59% of participants were seropositive; advanced stage of career and increased age were associated with seropositivity.

Prévalence et facteurs de risques pour la séropositivité àCoxiella burnetiichez les vétérinaires des petits ruminants et les étudiants en médecine vétérinaire en Ontario, au Canada.Coxiella burnetii est un agent pathogène zoonotique qui cause la fièvre Q chez les humains. Des données sérologiques et provenant de réponses à un questionnaire portant sur C. burnetii ont été obtenues auprès de 32 vétérinaires et étudiants en médecine vétérinaire en Ontario, au Canada, en février 2012. Globalement, 59 % des participants étaient séropositifs; un stade de carrière avancé et un âge supérieur étaient associés à la séropositivité.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Coxiella burnetii (Q Fever) Seropositivity and Associated Risk Factors in Sheep and Goat Farm Workers in Ontario, Canada.

Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic bacterium that causes Q fever, a potentially severe disease of humans. The objectives of this study were to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for C. burnetii exposure in sheep and goat farm workers in Ontario, Canada. Between August 2010 and March 2012, 172 farm workers from 78 sheep and goat farms were surveyed regarding demographics, lifestyle, farm practices, and medical history. Sera from these people were collected and analyzed for Q fever titers using the immunofluorescence assay. A mixed multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify risk factors for seropositivity. Individual-level and farm-level seroprevalence for C. burnetii were 64.5% (111/172, 95% CI = 57.2-71.4) and 74.4% (58/78, 95% CI = 63.2-83.6), respectively. Farm worker seropositivity was positively associated with an increasing proportion of seropositivity of sheep/goats on farm (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07). A higher odds of seropositivity was also observed for people working on dairy goat farms compared to the odds on dairy sheep (OR = 0.04; 95% CI 0.003-0.53) or meat goat (OR = 0.09; 95% CI 0.01-0.67) farms. Coxiella burnetii seropositivity was common in workers on sheep and goat farms in Ontario. Given the significant risk of morbidity associated with this infection, early recognition and treatment of Q fever are important. The risk factors identified provide insight into disease transmission between animals and people, which is particularly important for farmers, researchers, medical doctors, veterinarians, and public health professionals. Physicians practicing in rural areas should consider Q fever infection when patients present with atypical pneumonia and suggestive risk factors.