College of Veterinary Medicine

Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) Virus


February, 2011

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a member of the small ruminant lentiviruses (also includes ovine progressive pneumonia-OPP of sheep) which may lead to chronic disease of the joints, and on rare occasions, encephalitis in goat kids less than six months of age. The CAE virus is intimately associated with white blood cells; therefore, any body secretions which contain blood cells are potential sources of virus to other goats in the herd. Since not all goats that become infected with CAE virus progress to disease, it is important to test goats routinely for infection by means of a serology test which detects viral antibodies in the serum.

WSU-WADDL receives numerous inquiries about CAE virus, how to test for it, and most importantly, how to take steps to control the infection in goat herds. It is important to remember that ‘goat infection status’ not clinical disease, is the element of interest in assessing risk factors and designing control programs for CAE virus’ (Rowe & East, 1997). We have taken some of the most frequently asked questions and presented them along with some short answers.

Click on a question or


Contacts on CAE

Dr. James Evermann or Dr. Kerry Sondgerath
Last Edited: Jul 10, 2012 12:12 PM   


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