SEROPREVALENCE OF SMALL RUMINANT LENTIVIRUS INFECTION IN A GOAT FLOCK IN EASTERN ROMANIA

Abstract

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) pose significant economic challenges to goat farming and have a detrimental impact on animal welfare. The objectives of this study were to deepen our comprehension of SRLV infections and their implications for small ruminant farming. Within the studied herd, the detected seroprevalence of SRLV was notably high at 91.92% (95.0% CI: 86.5%–97.3%). This finding strongly suggests the enduring presence of SRLV infection within the goat farm, spanning multiple years. Antibodies against SRLVs were detected across all selected age categories and breeds, irrespective of the presence or absence of clinical signs. The data gleaned from this study allow significant implications, raising concerns about the potential for future clinical outbreaks resulting from SRLV infections in eastern Romanian goat herds. Given these findings, the imperative for the continuous surveillance of SRLV infections becomes evident. Ongoing vigilance and monitoring are essential to mitigate the risk of disease transmission, minimise economic losses and safeguard the welfare of goats within the region.