Risk factors for brucellosis seroprevalence of sheep and goat flocks in Spain

Risk factors for ovine and caprine brucellosis in the Avila region (center of Spain) were evaluated using data from a cross-sectional study of the mos t important diseases of small ruminants in this Spanish region between 1996 and 1997. Questionnaire data from 56 herds (35 ovine and 21 caprine) were used. Sixteen (29%) flocks (3 caprine and 13 ovine) were brucellosis-seropo sitive. Overall, 0.7% of sheep and 0.1% of goats were seropositive. Eleven risk factors were studied at the group level by logistic regression using f lock brucellosis-status as outcome, and by linear regression using percenta ge of brucellosis-seropositivity as outcome. Both final models contained th e same variables: contact with sheep and grazing in communal pastures as ri sk factors, and frequency of disinfecting practices as a protective factor. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.