Ovine Caprine Lentiviruses (OvLV and CaLV) are a group of retroviruses that primarily infect sheep and goats. They belong to the Lentivirus genus within the Retroviridae family, which also includes other well-known lentiviruses like HIV in humans and FIV in cats. These lentiviruses are characterized by their ability to cause long-term and progressive diseases in their host animals.
OvLV and CaLV are closely related and share many similarities in terms of their structure, transmission, and pathogenicity. They have a spherical shape with a lipid envelope and a complex genome consisting of RNA. Transmission occurs through the exchange of bodily fluids, especially blood, during various interactions such as breeding, sharing contaminated equipment, or nursing between infected and susceptible animals.
Infected sheep and goats may exhibit a wide range of clinical symptoms, including weight loss, decreased milk production, respiratory problems, and immunosuppression, making them more susceptible to secondary infections. The lentiviruses establish a persistent infection in their hosts, leading to gradual deterioration of the overall health and productivity of infected animals. While there is no known cure for OvLV and CaLV infections, proper management practices, including testing and culling of infected animals, can help control the spread of these diseases.
Understanding the molecular properties and epidemiology of Ovine Caprine Lentiviruses is essential for implementing effective control and prevention strategies, thereby minimizing the economic and animal health impacts associated with these infections.
