SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR CAPRINE ARTHRITIS-ENCEPHALITIS IN THE STATE OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Abstract

Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis (CAE) is a disease that decreases goat production but data on its seroprevalence and risk factors in most parts of Mexico are unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with CAE in 14 municipalities in central Veracruz, Mexico, and the hypothesis was that CAE must be present given the frequent movement of goats among states. This was a cross-sectional, multistage and stratified study. Herds in each municipality were selected by clusters using the tables proposed by Canon and Roe after calculating a sample size of 81 herds, 14 municipalities and at least 385 goats, with a sampling fraction of six by herd. All bucks and females older than three-months were sampled. All samples were processed by two indirect ELISA commercial kits as screening and confirmatory tests. In order to determine risk factors, a general questionnaire was applied in each selected farm and an individual questionnaire for each sampled goat. Data were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology and the association between variables was calculated by odds ratio. In total, 564 samples were obtained, 43 were positive to the screening test, but only 36 were confirmed, for an overall raw seroprevalence of 6.3%. Nine out of 14 surveyed municipalities and 18 out of 81 sampled herds were found positive. Identified risk factors included goats belonging to the municipalities of Coatepec and Coacoatzintla, bucks, goats in the range of 7 to 12 months of age, and goats imported from the states of Jalisco, Querétaro and Guanajuato. As a conclusion, overall CAE seroprevalence in central Veracruz goat herds is low, but the disease is spread amongst municipalities and herds.