Seroconversion of kids from a small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) control programme

Abstract

The infection by small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) may occur directely through the ingestion of contaminated milk and colostrum, and, also, through intimate contact between the animals or indirectly through the contact with contaminated particles. The segregation of kids from their dams immediately after birth, and their feeding with artificial colostrum or thermically treated goat are some of the most used management practices to control of SRLV infection. This work was developed aiming to evaluate such measures were efficient in preventing the transmission of SRLV from seropositive goats to their offspring. In order to achieve that, 44 Anglo Nubian and Alpine kids were obtained for induced and followed birth. The serums were tested through agar gel immunodiffusion assay (AGID) and through western blot (WB) using the CAEV antigen. During the 14 to 18 months observation period of these animals no SRLV clinical signs were observed, however 12 (27.27%) animals showed positive results in one or both tests. Based on these results, we draw the conclusion that the management practices used in this work were not sufficient to prevent the infection by SRLV.