@inproceedings{01JC12XNA7H9NPHGVFCGK0ZFQN,
  abstract     = {{Background: Sepsis is one of the main contributors to neonatal calf mortality. Available  predictive models were not validated or included diarrheic calves only. Recently, blood culture (BC) positivity was shown to be associated with mortality in critically ill calves. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify factors associated with BC positivity in critically ill calves. 

Methods: Logistic regression and decision tree analysis were performed on the medical records of 340 critically ill calves sampled for BC. Blood cultures were aseptically sampled and inoculated in aerobic enrichment media. Data on clinical and ultrasonographic examinations, laboratory findings, and anamnestic details about prior therapy were included. 

Results: The clinical model of risk factors associated with positive BC consisted of the presence of pneumonia (consolidation>1cm)(OR, 2.0; 95%CI, 1.0-3.8; P=.05), abnormal behavior (OR, 2.4; 95%CI, 1.1-4.9; P=.02) and diarrhea (OR, 0.43; 95%CI, 0.22-0.85; P=.02). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 19%, 95% and 70%, respectively. The model including all parameters consisted of pneumonia (OR, 2.2; 95%CI, 1.2-3.8; P=.008) and hypoglycemia (OR, 3.2; 95%CI, 1.8-4.5; P<.001). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 34%, 89% and 71%, respectively. The decision tree included hypoproteinemia, hypoglycemia, tachypnea, hypocalcemia, abnormal behavior, decreased bicarbonate and a venous hypoxemia as risk factors for sepsis. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the tree were 34.1%, 89.4% and 71.4%, respectively. 

Conclusions: Pneumonia is associated with BC positivity, in contrast to diarrhea. Hypoglycemia and abnormal behavior appear most relevant in predicting bacteremia. Sensitivity for sepsis prediction in calves, without any ancillary test (e.g. biomarkers), remains disappointing.}},
  author       = {{Pas, Mathilde and Boyen, Filip and Pardon, Bart}},
  booktitle    = {{Proceedings of the 23rd Middle-European buiatrics congress}},
  keywords     = {{Blood culture,sepsis,pneumonia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  location     = {{Brno}},
  pages        = {{1}},
  title        = {{Risk factors associated with bacteremia in 334 critically ill calves}},
  url          = {{www.mebc2024.cz}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}