Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis: A Holistic Review of Disease

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) is a monocyte/macrophage-tropic virus generally infects dairy goats and categorized as list B disease as per OIE. It poses huge economic losses by decreasing productivity and delayed maturity. Main mode of transmission of the disease is considered as colostrum and milk of infected dams. CAEV is found all over the world, with the largest prevalence of infected goats in developed countries such as the United States, Canada, France, Norway, and Switzerland and in India reported cases of CAE infection are from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh. Infected goats show clinical indications in about 30% of cases. Nearly 20% of CAE virus-infected goats manifest clinical signs during their lifetime. Regular foot trimming, the use of soft additional bedding, and the administration of NSAIDs are commonest treatment regimen used after infection of CAE in an individual animal or herds. There is no current vaccine available against CAE virus but once the arrays of pathogenesis are known, then a suitable vaccine or drug can be formulated against the CAEV and animals can be safeguarded against this disease.