Caprine arthritis-encephalitis syndrome (CAE) is a viral disease of domestic goats characterized by chronic proliferative synovitis and periarthritis of adult goats while acute afebrile leukoencephalomyelitis is characteristic in goat kids. The causative agent, a Lentivirus, is transmitted from adult goats to kids via the colostrum or lateral transmission also occurs.
The CAE virus is worldwide in distribution. All breeds and ages of goats. are susceptible to infection, and once established it persists throughout the animal's life. A diagnosis can be based on the clinical signs, pathological changes, and demonstration of serum antibody levels.
A vaccine is not available. Control or eradication of the disease is based on periodic serological testing, culling of all CAE antibody-positive animals, and separation of kids from adults following birth.
Kansas Agriculture Experiment Station Contribution #84-148-J.