Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE), caused by the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), is a chronic infectious disease that negatively affects animals over the world while it remains difficult to control due to long incubation periods and subclinical infections. Current eradication strategies rely on management and serological testing but challenges in their conduction highlight the need for alternative approaches.
Genetic resistance to small ruminant lentiviruses has emerged as a promising control strategy. The CCR5 gene, which encodes a chemokine receptor involved in viral entry into macrophages, has previously been associated with CAE susceptibility. A polymorphism in the promoter region of CCR5 (g.1059T) has been linked to increased proviral load.
This study investigated variation in the CCR5 gene in Swedish Landrace goats and aimed to evaluate its association with CAE using ELISA seropositivity, to validate previous findings and assess the potential of genetic markers for improved disease control.
However, significant association between CCR5 genotypes and CAE prevalence could not substantially be proven in this study. Genotypes of some breeds in the study and the absence of proviral load data restrict definitive conclusions. Further studies with larger populations and proviral load measurements are required before considering CCR5-based breeding strategies for CAE control.