Bovine tuberculosis history as a risk factor for recurrence in English cattle herds experiencing a breakdown.

OTF-W history significantly increases TB recurrence risk; prioritize interferon-gamma testing accordingly.

This observational study analyzed bovine tuberculosis (TB) breakdowns in English cattle herds between 2018-2020 to identify risk factors for disease recurrence within 18 months post-breakdown. Researchers used multivariable logistic regression to assess herds with lesion-positive or bacteriologically positive breakdowns in high-risk and surveillance areas. Key findings revealed that herds with a previous officially tuberculosis free-withdrawn (OTF-W) breakdown status had significantly higher recurrence odds (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6) compared to herds without TB history. Conversely, herds with only OTF-suspended (OTF-S) status showed no increased recurrence risk (OR 0.9, 95% CI: 0.8-1.1). Large herd size emerged as an additional independent risk factor. The study supports targeted deployment of interferon-gamma blood testing, supplementing tuberculin skin testing, prioritizing OTF-W breakdown herds with prior OTF-W history and large herds regardless of breakdown history. Limitations included restricted covariate analysis, potentially overlooking other disease drivers.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.