Achievements of an eradication programme against caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in South Tyrol, Italy

Abstract

Small ruminant lentivirus infections in goats affect both production and animal welfare. This represents a threat to the qualitative and quantitative growth of goat farming, recently observed in mountainous regions such as the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol (Italy). To monitor and eradicate the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in this goat population, a compulsory eradication campaign was launched, based on a strict census of small ruminants and yearly serological testing of all animals, followed by the consequent culling of seropositive individuals. The campaign succeeded in completely eliminating cases of clinical disease in goats, while drastically reducing the seroprevalence at the herd as well as individual animal level. The serological outcome of the introduced control measures was determined using commercially available ELISA kits, demonstrating their suitability for use in this type of campaign, aimed at reducing seroprevalence as well as clinical manifestations of these infections. However, this clear success is diminished by the failure to achieve a complete eradication of these viruses. The reasons leading to the observed tailing phenomenon and the occurrence of new infections in already sanitised flocks are discussed and implementation of further measures are proposed.

Genetic Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Small Ruminant Lentiviruses Detected in Spanish Assaf Sheep with Different Mammary Lesions

“…One of the most important productive impacts of SRLV disease is due to the premature removal of diseased animals because of low milk production and quality with consequent economic losses in the milk-related and lamb/kids-related industry [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Due to the significant economic impact of diseases, VM and CAE are included in the OIE List and specific control and eradication programs are carried out in many countries [ 14 , 15 ]. Availability of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests is of great importance for a correct discrimination between infected and non-infected animals.…”

Efficacy of measures to control caprine arthritis-encephalitis in dairy herd with high clinical and serological prevalence

“…In Brazil, only two studies have been found on control methods in naturally infected herds (Stachissini et al, 2007;Rodrigues et al, 2018). In other countries where the occurrence of CAE is also worrying, studies have been developed aiming at the control and/or eradication of the disease (Péretz, Bugnard, & Calavas, 1994;Nord, Løken, & Orten, 1998;Kaba et al, 2011;Konishi et al, 2011;Gufler, 2013;Tavella et al, 2017). In these countries, producers usually adopt control programs voluntarily, based on periodic serological tests with separation and/ or elimination of seroreactive animals and the use of management practices to prevent and control the agent.…”

The effect of the subclinical small ruminant lentivirus infection of female goats on the growth of kids

“…Eradication of SRLV from a goat herd is extremely laborious and expensive. Therefore, test-and-cull control programs are successfully completed mostly in these regions where governmental assistance is available [4,5]. Otherwise, farmers interested in CAE control restrict themselves to programs based on early weaning and mother-offspring separation along with elimination of adult goats presenting clinical signs, assuming that costs of the test-and-cull eradication program would quickly outweigh costs of the presence of subclinical infection in the herd.…”