CAEV Infection does not Affect Prevalence of Bacterial Mastitis in Goats

Like other lentiviruses, caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) causes persistent infection. The majority of CAEV-infected goats is clinically healthy. Signs of disease are associated with progressive inflammation in one or more organ or tissue systems such as joints, bursae, brain, spinal cord, lungs, and udder (Bulgin 1990, Dawson 1987). In most CAEV- infected females, the mammary gland, which is a target for the virus, is likely to be infected (Kennedy-Stoskopf et al. 1985, Lerondelle et al. 1989). The infection may cause increased somatic cell counts (Post et al. 1984, Nord & Adnoy to be published). The milk mostly appears normal and mastitis may not be suspected. Ryan et al. (1993) and Smith & Cutlip (1988) suggested that susceptibility to bacterial udder infection is enhanced in CAEV-infected goats, in particular with regard to infections due to non-haemolytic Staphylococci. In this study, the prevalence of bacterial udder infections in CAEV-antibody positive goats is compared with that in negative animals.