Infecção pelo vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina: uma abordagem teórica sobre essa lentivirose de pequenos ruminantes

Abstract

The caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) is an infectious viral disease of chronic and progressive course. As it can be a subclinical disease, it may cause joint and neurological alterations, with pulmonary or mammary glands damage. Overall, the caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) affects goats of all ages, regardless of gender or race. The major transmission route is the digestive tract, mainly through secretions such as milk and colostrum after birth. Along with maedi-visna virus, which infects sheep, the CAEV is known as small ruminant lentivirus. New evidence has indicated that such pathogens affect both goats as sheep, breaking the interspecies barrier described beforehand. The use of laboratory techniques that allow the definitive CAE diagnosis is essential and both direct and indirect methods can be used. There is no treatment for this lentiviruses, not even the vaccine available in the market can prevent infection. So, making an early and reliable diagnosis, segregating the serum reactive animals and discarding them are the main measures used to control this disease. This literature review aims to deepen understanding on CAE, highlighting the importance of diagnosis and control, given that its spread causes huge economic losses to the producers.