Genetic assay of Caprine arthritis encephalitis in the Hungarian goat herd

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a retroviral infection of goats. CAEV is closely related to the virus which causes MaediVisna in sheep and AIDS in humans. The first survey of the seroprevalence of CAEV in Hungarian goats was performed. Parallel with it we tried to ascertain whether there is any association between either the susceptibility of CAE or the appearance of clinical symptoms in infected individuals and MHC II DRBP1 microsatellite polymorphism. Our aim was to encourage control measures before the infection can spread rapidly. The experiments were launched in 2003. Hungarian Milk Goats (White, Brown, Multicolour) and Saanen were selected for this initial study. Blood samples were taken for DNA extraction. Serological data showed that 30% of the Hungarian goat population was infected with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV). Microsatellite polymorphism located within the DRBP1 MHC class II candidate gene was analysed. The genotypes of 130 animals were determined out of the 2000 animals which are planned to be examined until the end of 2004. A significant association between serological results and DRBP1 genotypes was not detected using a Chi-square test (at level 5%). _______________________________________________________________________________________