Incidence of caprine arthritis-encephalitis depending on goat breed

Abstract

This paper discusses the data on the numbers of goats kept on farms of various forms of ownership on the territory of the Russian Federation as well as brief characteristics of the most common breeds. A brief description of viral CAE is presented, and the features of the clinical manifestation of this disease are discussed. The findings of screening studies conducted in 2020 and 2022 consisting in the identification of seropositive for viral CAE kept on farms of various forms of ownership from 35 regions of Russia depending on their breed affiliation are presented. To make a diagnosis, the method of indirect enzyme immunoassay (ID Screen® MVV/CAEV Indirect Screening test) was used during the study. It was found that cross-breeds (59.9%), Anglo-Nubian, Alpine and Saanen goats (10.44%, 10.37% and 7.35%, respectively) are most often kept on farms of different forms of ownership. The analysis of the findings showed that the incidence of viral CAE in animals did not depend on breed affiliation. The exception were the Altai Mountain goats, however, the absence of seropositive animals among the representatives of that breed was explained not by breed stability, but by the isolated management and lack of influx of new animals from other farms into the herds. It is emphasized that the only effective way to prevent the appearance of viral CAE in the herd are technological methods based on preventing the introduction and spread of the infectious agent among susceptible animals, as well as mandatory examinations of newly acquired animals during quarantine.