Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus is a difficult term to spell due to the complexity of its pronunciation. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈkæprɪn ɑːrˈθraɪtɪs ˌɛnsɛfəˈlaɪtɪs ˈvaɪrəs/. The word comprises of multiple syllables, with the emphasis placed on the third syllable. The first syllable is pronounced as "kap", followed by "rine" with a long "i" sound. The third and fourth syllables are pronounced as "ar-THRY-tis" with stress on the last syllable. The fifth and sixth syllable respectively are "en-sef-a-LAI-tis". The final syllable "virus" is pronounced "vai-rus".
Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) is a species of Lentivirus that primarily affects goats. It belongs to the Retroviridae family and is closely related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other animal lentiviruses.
CAEV is responsible for causing the chronic infectious disease known as caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE). It primarily affects goats but can also infect sheep and wild ruminants. The virus is transmitted through various routes, including the ingestion of virus-contaminated milk, colostrum or saliva, and through infected blood or semen. Additionally, transmission from an infected dam to offspring during pregnancy or through close contact has been observed.
Symptoms of CAEV infection can be divided into three forms: arthritis, encephalitis, and pneumonia. Arthritis is the most common manifestation, leading to chronic inflammation in the joints, resulting in lameness and stiffness. Encephalitis affects the central nervous system and can cause neurological signs such as depression, tremors, and incoordination. Pneumonia predominantly affects young animals and results in respiratory distress and difficulty breathing.
Prevention and control measures for CAEV include maintaining strict biosecurity measures, such as isolation and testing of new animals before introducing them into a herd. Vaccination has shown some efficacy in reducing the severity of the disease but does not completely eliminate infection. Management practices, such as separating kids from their infected mothers at birth, pasteurizing milk, and culling infected animals, can also help control the spread of the virus.