[Bases for a program of control of caprine arthritis encephalite in dairy flock]

ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate a program to control Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), using diagnostic tests, separation of the mother and postpartum and other management measures, in order to form a free flock of the virus. We used a total of 47 Saanengoats in isolation until the results of the first nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested PCR) and Western Blotting (WB) tests, based on blood collection at the time of birth (M0). In the nested PCR, 4 animals were positive, at M0, and were eliminated. Later, the other 43goats were submitted to blood collection at 60 (M60) and 270 (M270) days of life to perform new tests of WB and nested PCR, which did not detect positive animals. We can affirm that the methodology adopted in this study was effective in the control of the disease, in the phase of breastfeeding and post-breastfeeding, and that the combination of the management system, which allows a reduction of risk of horizontal transmission, with more accurate diagnostic techniques, such as WB and nested PCR, is relevant for the elaboration of a strategic plan for the disease control.

摘要 本研究旨在评估一项以诊断检测、母羊产后与幼崽隔离及其他饲养管理措施为手段的山羊关节炎脑炎（Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis, CAE）防控方案，以构建无该病毒感染的羊群。本研究共纳入47只萨能山羊（Saanen goat），在出生时（记为M0）采集血液样本，直至首次嵌套聚合酶链式反应（nested Polymerase Chain Reaction, nested PCR）与蛋白质印迹法（Western Blotting, WB）检测结果出具前，均对其实施隔离饲养。在M0时间点的嵌套PCR检测中，共有4只山羊呈阳性，随即被淘汰。后续，对剩余的43只山羊分别在其出生后60天（记为M60）与270天（记为M270）采集血液样本，再次开展WB与嵌套PCR检测，未检出阳性个体。本研究证实，所采用的防控方法在哺乳阶段及断奶后阶段对该病均具备良好防控效果；同时，结合可降低水平传播风险的饲养管理体系与WB、嵌套PCR这类精准诊断技术，可为制定该病的战略性防控方案提供关键依据。