Seroprevalence and risk factors of exposure to caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus in southern Spain

The aim of the present transversal descriptive study was to determine the exposure and risk factors associated with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) in southern Spain. A total of 3,312 serum samples were collected from goat belonging to three different breeds coming from 48 flocks located in different geographic areas from southern Spain. In addition, health and productive parameters were surveyed during the visit to the herds. Serum samples were analysed by INgezim Maedi Screening (Ingenasa®) ELISA kit. The total percentage of herds exposed to CAEV was 87.71% (CI₉₅ 78.42-97.00). A total of 733 goats were seropositive with overall seroprevalence of 23.22% (CI₉₅ 21.78-24.65). The intraherd seroprevalence was 20.82%±24.07. Multivariate logistic regression showed significant association between CAEV and the next variables: (i) herd size (P<0.0001; OR: 2.07; CI₉₅: 1.73-2.50), (ii) kidding area (P<0.0020; OR: 1.38; CI₉₅: 1.13-1.69), (iii) cleaning and disinfection program (P<0.0067; OR: 1.90; CI₉₅: 1.43-2.53), (iv) natural mating (P<0.0026; OR: 2.22; CI₉₅: 1.73-2.86) and (v) multiparous (P<0.0001; OR: 2.90; CI₉₅: 2.17-3.87). The results indicate a widespread of CAEV infection in goat herds in southern Spain, being herd size, existence of kidding area, absence of cleaning and disinfection program, natural mating and multiparous goats risk factors for the exposure to CAEV.