[Caprine enzootic arthritis-encephalitis in France: epidemiological and experimental studies]

In an epidemiological study on CAEV-induced caprine arthritis, the ELISA carried out on mixed sera appeared to be an efficient pointer to viral articular pathology in flocks; the breed and origin of goats, the selection of flocks with high milk production proved to be factors which favour viral arthritis, the serological diagnosis of which remains a flock diagnosis. In addition, in an experimental infection, only one type II caprine strain induced significant cases of arthritis; the disease could be reproduced more effectively by the intra-articular route than intravenously. Lastly, in a vaccination test followed by infectious CAEV challenge, two vaccinated goats showed more severe arthritis than did non vaccinated control goats. These observations emphasise the importance of the different viral strains, of the penetration route of the virus, of the repetition of infections and of the immune response in the induction of CAEV arthritis.