Preliminary survey for antibodies against caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) using recombinant GAG proteins: studies among small ruminant populations in north-eastern Nigeria.

A total of 1000 serum samples were obtained from small ruminants in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria and tested for the presence of antibodies against caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on p17 and p28 recombinant GAG proteins. The distribution of the sera tested was as follows: 900 serum samples collected at slaughter from 700 goats and 200 sheep in the municipal abattoir as well as 100 sera obtained from 50 each of goats and sheep in four different flocks under the semi-intensive system of animal husbandry. All the animals sampled were aged >/=2 years and had no previous contact with imported stocks. It was observed that none of the sera had antibody against CAEV. The need to impose strict quarantine as well as the practice of testing and slaughtering of positive animals imported from CAEV endemic areas into Nigeria for breeding are suggested to prevent the introduction of the disease into the country.