Seroprevalence Survey of Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis in the Municipalities of São Domingos and Valente, Sisal Territory (BA)

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) in the municipalities of São Domingos and Valente, located in the Sisal territory, Bahia, using the Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) technique. A total of 702 samples from 28 farms (14 in each municipality) were analyzed, showing a seroprevalence of 2.99% (21/702) and 17.86% (5/28) of farms with positive animals. Among breeds, Alpine Brown and undefined breed animals (UB) had the highest seropositivity rates (p≤0.05), with prevalences of 52.38% (11/21) and 47.62% (10/21), respectively. Farms using semi-intensive management systems were the only ones with positive animals. Participation in agricultural fairs was identified as a risk factor, with higher positivity among attendees (p≤0.05). The main diseases reported in the herds were helminthiasis (92.86%), caseous lymphadenitis (78.57%), and mastitis (75.00%). The findings highlight the need for rigorous sanitary control measures, including regular testing and the removal of positive animals, to reduce the spread of CAE.