Use of serological diagnostic techniques in the control and eradication of caprine arthritis encephalitis: an update

• Main Authors: Jamili Maria Suhet Mussi, Aurora Maria Guimarães Gouveia, Adriana Cortez, Andrey Pereira Lage, Alessandro de Sá Guimarães, Marcos Bryan Heinemann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2015-12-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science
• Subjects: Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus; CAEV; Small ruminant lentivirus; SRLV; Diagnosis; Control
• Online Access: http://www.revistas.usp.br/bjvras/article/view/97653

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a chronic disease caused by a small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV), which causes significant losses in goat breeding. The actual state of animal infection with SRLV is difficult to determine due to a complex pathogenesis of the virus, including factors such as delayed or intermittent seroconversion in serological tests. Several serological techniques are available for disease diagnosis, such as screening or confirmation tests, which are different in sensitivity and specificity. Regarding the choice of the test to be applied, availability of commercial immunoreagents, team training, antigen used, and cost of techniques must be considered. This review presents the serological methods available for use in different stages of CAE control and eradication programs, and management measures to be adopted in conjunction with serological diagnosis of the disease.