[Caprine arthritis-encephalitis: detection of specific antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and synovia]

Following transmission studies cerebrospinal fluid and synovia were checked for the presence of specific antibodies from ten seronegative goats derived from seropositive females and from 16 seropositive goats showing typical clinical symptoms. In the samples from the seronegative goats it was not possible to detect any specific antibodies whereas in 14 of the 16 seropositive goats specific antibodies were found in the synovia and in two goats specific antibodies could be found in the cerebrospinal fluid. The conclusion was that the local clinical symptoms may be the result of an antigen-antibody reaction.