Seroprevalence of Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis infection in goats from the Kukës district, Albania

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) in goats from the Kukës district, Albania. Caprine arthritis encephalitis, caused by the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), is a chronic viral disease characterized by persistent inflammatory lesions and significant economic impact on goat farming. Although the disease is not zoonotic, continuous surveillance and preventive measures are essential to limit its spread and to better understand its epidemiology in Albania.

Serological testing was conducted using the Maedi-Visna/CAEV Ab ELISA assay, which detects specific antibodies against CAEV. A total of 63 goat serum samples were randomly collected from two different herds in the Kukës district. The results revealed that 6 out of 63 tested goats were seropositive, corresponding to a seroprevalence of 9.5%, while 57 animals (90.5%) tested negative. These findings indicate a relatively low level of CAEV circulation in the studied area, comparable to observations reported in other regions of Albania, although regional variability remains evident.

In conclusion, the presence of seropositive animals in the Kukës district highlights the need for continued monitoring, implementation of control strategies, and broader epidemiological studies to prevent further spread of CAEV infection in the national goat population.