Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus

DefinitionandEtiology
Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) is an RNA-enveloped lentivirus from the
Retroviridae family that infects cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage, with
clinical manifestations ranging from subclinical disease to severe encephalitis. Time
from viral infection to clinical disease may vary from months to years, and because
infection is lifelong, eorts to eradicate and control its prevalence and incidence are
paramount to maintaining successful goat herds. Loss of productivity, death, and
restrictions on the export of dairy goats are some of the economic impacts of this
disease on U.S. herds and the goat industry. (Nolaque)
Clinical Signs
Only about 20% of CAEV-infected goats display clinical signs of disease during their
lifetime, but recognized forms of disease include a leukoencephalomyelitis,
interstitial pneumonia, chronic mastitis, and debilitating polysynovitis-arthritis.1
Leukoencephalomalacia is observed primarily in kids 2 to 6 months of age, but
reports have been noted in adults.1 Tis form is characterized by an ascending paresis
leading to paralysis, beginning in the rear limbs and sometimes involving the
forelimbs. These signs may or may not be accompanied by a mild interstitial
pneumonia. Goat kids may continue to be bright, alert, and appetent. The most severe
(DANIEL)
manifestation of this form of CAEV infection is progressive paresis to paralysis to
urinary retention and bloating. Chronic interstitial pneumonia with progressive
weight loss and dyspnea is another recognized form of CAEV infection. Primary
ruleouts for this form should include lung worms, pulmonary abscessation, and
chronic bronchopneumonia. The mammary gland is a target organ for the virus,
resulting clinically in a firm udder with decreased milk production. Although quantity
of milk is reduced, there are no apparent gross abnormalities. (PARWATA)
The most common form of CAEV infection is polysynovitis-arthritis, which can be
recognized in goats as young as 6 months but more frequently is observed in mature
goats. Lameness caused by this form is intermittent and insidious in onset, but
eventually aected joints become painful and enlarged. Enlargement of the joints is
most typically due to hyperplasia of the synovial tissues and their associated sheaths
rather than increased volume of joint uid. The carpus is most frequently involved,
but the stie, coxofemoral, atlantooccipital, and hock joints are also potential
locations. Aected goats have a sti, stilted gait and progress to walking on their
carpus or recumbency. Range of motion (ROM) is greatly aected, contributing to
chronic soft tissue contracture. Tis polysynovitis-arthritis form can be accompanied
by a chronic interstitial pneumonia and weight loss and typically is also associated
with some form of mammary involvement. (ERIKA)

ClinicalPathologyandDiagnosis
Arthrocentesis to confirm suspicion of the polysynovitis-arthritis form of CAEV
infection usually yields a brown to red-tinged uid with an increased cell count and
decreased protein. Joint uid cell counts in aected joints are dominated by
mononuclear cells, diering from bacterial synovitis, where cells consist
predominantly of neutrophils. This predominance of mononuclear cells in CAEV
infection is also seen in the cerebrospinal uid (CSF) of goats a ected with the
leukoencephalomyelitis form. Radiographs may be a useful diagnostic tool for CAEV
polysynovitis-arthritis; early cases display soft tissue swelling dorsal to the carpus. As
the disease progresses, mineralization can be observed in the periarticular tissue,
tendon sheaths, joint capsules, and ligaments. Roughened bone proximal and distal to
the joint becomes apparent, as does periosteal reaction. The U. S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) recognizes an agar gel immunodiusion (AGID) test using
ovine progressive pneumonia virus antigen as the official test for CAEV. However, an
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for detection of
whole virus, core, or envelope proteins. Both AGID and ELISA are considered
reliable enough to be incorporated into prevention and control programs. The AGID
test is reportedly more specific but less sensitive than the ELISA.2 Detection of
antigen in milk, tissue, and blood can be facilitated through PCR techniques. A
positive AGID or ELISA in adults is synonymous with lifelong viral infection.
Generally, time from infection to seroconversion ranges from 4 to 16 weeks, but some
infected goats shed virus for long periods of time without seroconversion.3 Goat kids
may be transiently positive for the presence of antibodies during the first 8 to 16
weeks of life after consuming CAEV antibodycontaining colostrum, but because of
the nonprotective nature of maternal antibodies, such kids may seroconvert to true
viral infection due to viral shedding from the infected dam. (RIFA TAMVAN)

Pathophysiology
The characteristic granulomatous inammatory pathology produced in aected
tissues is thought to be due to immune complexes generated by the interaction of non
-neutralizing antibodies produced by lymphocytes and associated virus-infected
macrophages. Localization of such inammatory lesions occurs where tissue-
associated macrophages are found. Tissues of importance for CAEV localization
include the synovium, mammary gland, and central nervous system (CNS), so the
clinical manifestations of the disease are logical. (KUCING MUHARA)

Epidemiology
Transmission involves the transfer of virus-laden cells from one animal to the next.
Transfer of CAEV to neonates through colostrum and milk is a highly efficient
natural mode of transmission.4,5 Transmission has also been reported through direct
contact, so herd owners who do not practice segregation of seropositive animals
continually have difficulty controlling and eradicating the disease.4-7 Complete
separation of kids from dams immediately following parturition and during the
periparturient period is necessary; evidence exists that even kids not allowed to nurse
become infected. Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus proviral DNA has been recently
detected in the caprine genital tract,8 and experimental infection of goat embryos
with CAEV has been reported.9 Additionally, intramammary and in utero
transmission have been described.7,10 All the described means of acquiring the virus
are potential explanations for continued transmission in herds where segregation and
sound colostrum and milk management are practiced. (MEGA SAPUTRI ANWAR)
Maedi-visna virus (MVV), also known as ovine progressive pneumonia, is another
lentivirus that together with CAEV is commonly referred to as small ruminant
lentivirus (SLV). Although sheep are most likely to display clinical signs of MVV,
and goats signs of CAEV, studies have shown that these viruses can be transmitted
from sheep to goats and vice versa.11 Therefore, eradication programs aimed at
eliminating SLV from herds and ocks should not allow contact between sheep and
goats. (MIA MONICA)

NecropsyFindings and Histopathology

Grossly, goats aected with the polysynovitis-arthritis form of CAEV have
thickened, sometimes folded synovium consistent with synovial hyperplasia due to
chronic inammation. Microscopically, synovial hyperplasia is characterized by
mononuclear infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages. Synovial
spaces contain fibrin, and synovial villi and collagen are necrotic.No gross lesions are
apparent in the CNS of goats aected with the leukoencephalomyelitis form of
CAEV, but microscopically, perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages,
and plasma cells are observed. Perivascular infiltration is often accompanied by
malacia of the brain and spinal cord, in addition to loss of myelin. Occasionally,
degenerative lesions are seen in the gray matter. (BOBS)

Treatment and Prognosis

Prognosis for CAEV infection varies because most goats do not show clinical
disease; once signs begin, however, rapid deterioration ensues. Arthritis and
accompanying weight loss progress, and there is no treatment. Kids or mature goats
aected with the leukoencephalomyelitis form do not survive and should be
euthanized for humane reasons. Reportedly, a genetically determined predisposition
for development of CAEV arthritis exists and can be identified with DNA
fingerprinting. (WISNU)
Prevention and Control
Prevention and control centers upon colostrum and milk management, but kids should
also be prevented from any contact with the dam following parturition. Heat
treatment of colostrum by holding it at 45 C (113 F) for 1 hour eectively
inactivates the virus.7 Kids can then be feed pasteurized milk until weaning.
Unpasteurized goats milk from seronegative dams is a risky substitute for heat-
treated milk because some seronegative goats shed virus for long periods before
seroconversion occurs. Pooling of colostrum increases the prevalence of disease in
goat dairies, so this practice should be restricted. Kids should be tested serologically
at periodic intervals to detect and remove infected individuals. Seronegative goats
should be isolated from seropositive ones by a minimum of 6 feet.7 Sharing of feed
and water troughs should not be allowed, nor should use of common needles during
routine vaccination or administration of medication. During breeding, seronegative
does should not be housed with seropositive bucks, but they can be hand mated and
quickly re-isolated. New additions to the herd should be tested and isolated until
seronegative status is confirmed prior to entry into the herd. (HENDRA)
Despite diligent prevention and control programs based on elimination of colostrum
and milk transmission, isolation of seronegative goats, and serologic monitoring,
obstacles to a CAEV-free herd are often encountered. Detection of virus has been
reported in properly treated colostrum.4 Overheating colostrum denatures
immunoglobulin, thereby preventing eective passive transfer of immunity, but not
heating colostrum long enough or at high-enough temperatures fails to inactivate the
virus. Feeding overheated colostrum may also cause diarrhea in kids.15 Attention to
time and temperature details during heat treatment of colostrum and pasteurization of
milk are of the utmost importance for eective colostrum and milk management.
Some farms routinely feed cow colostrum, but neonatal iso-erythrolysis has been
reported in kids consuming cows milk, and the lack of goat-specific immunoglobulin
transfer is less than ideal.15 Serologic monitoring can be complicated by the fact that
viral shedding precedes seroconversion, so all goats should be tested a minimum of
twice yearly to ensure any new cases are detected and managed accordingly.
Unfortunately, no vaccine is currently available for CAEV. (DANIEL LAGI)
Prevention and Control
Prevention and control centers upon colostrum and milk management, but kids should
also be prevented from any contact with the dam following parturition. Heat
treatment of colostrum by holding it at 45 C (113 F) for 1 hour eectively
inactivates the virus.7 Kids can then be feed pasteurized milk until weaning.
Unpasteurized goats milk from seronegative dams is a risky substitute for heat-
treated milk because some seronegative goats shed virus for long periods before
seroconversion occurs. Pooling of colostrum increases the prevalence of disease in
goat dairies, so this practice should be restricted. Kids should be tested serologically
at periodic intervals to detect and remove infected individuals. Seronegative goats
should be isolated from seropositive ones by a minimum of 6 feet.7 Sharing of feed
and water troughs should not be allowed, nor should use of common needles during
routine vaccination or administration of medication. During breeding, seronegative
does should not be housed with seropositive bucks, but they can be hand mated and
quickly re-isolated. New additions to the herd should be tested and isolated until
seronegative status is confirmed prior to entry into the herd.

Pencegahan dan Kontrol

Pencegahan dan kontrol berpusat pada managemen kolostrum dan air susu, tapi anak
kambing harus menghindari kontak dengan proses pasteurisasi. Pemanasan kolostrum
dengan suhu 45 C (113 F) selama 1 jam efektif menginaktivasi virus. Anak
kambing dapat mengkonsumsi susu berpasteurisasi hingga disapih. Susu kambing
yang tidak dipasteurisasi beresiko karena virus dapat diam disana. Penyiraman
kolostrum dapat meningkatkan pravalensi penyakit ini di pemerahan kambing. Anak
kambing perlu diuji berkala untuk mendeteksi virus. Kambing yang seronegative
harus dipisahkan dengan yang positif. Makan dan minum pada tempat yang sama
tidak dianjurkan begitu pula penggunaan jarum suntik berulang. Saat bereproduksi,
hewan berseronegatif tidak boleh sekandang dengan yang positif. Saat ada ternak
baru harus dilakukan tes dan diisolasi hingga hasil yang seronegatif terbaca.