Eradication of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in the goat population of South Tyrol, Italy: analysis of the tailing phenomenon during the 2016–2017 campaign. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nardelli, Stefano; Bettini, Astrid; Capello, Katia; Bertoni, Giuseppe; Tavella, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation. Volume 32:Number 4(2020:Jul.)
• Page Start: 589
• Page End: 593
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: caprine arthritis encephalitis virus -- disease eradication -- goats -- ovine-caprine lentiviruses -- sheep; Veterinary medicine -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; 636.0896075
• DOI: 10.1177/1040638720934055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-6387

Abstract

Since 2007, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano–South Tyrol (Italy) has carried out a compulsory eradication program against caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) in goats. A drastic seroprevalence reduction was achieved during the initial phase (2007–2011); however, a tailing phenomenon has been observed during the latest years, hampering the achievement of the final goal. CAEV belongs to a group of lentiviruses, called small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs), which are antigenically related and can infect both goats and sheep. We investigated the possible link between the tailing phenomenon in goats and the role of sheep as a virus reservoir by comparing serologic results between multispecies farms (where goats and sheep coexist) and monospecies farms (goats only). Goats on multispecies farms had a higher prevalence and seroconversion rate (even if to a rather moderate extent), higher antibody titers, and a higher probability of conclusive results in the genotyping analysis, with more frequent identification of SRLV genotype A (sheep-related) infections. Sheep can serve as a SRLV reservoir, thus contributing to scattered positive tests in goats, causing the tailing phenomenon.