This paper describes the isolation of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) in Minas Gerais and Pernambuco States, Brazil, using goat synovial membrane (GSM) explants (isolates: BrMg 1-01, BrMg 2-01, BrMg 2-02, BrMg 2-03 and BrPe 1-01) or co-culture of blood mononuclear cells with GSM (BrMg 1-02). The isolates were identified by cytopathic effect (CPE), direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and an improved polimerase chain reaction (PRC) specific to CAEV (strain Cork) genome. It was found isolates of low (BrMg 1-01 and BrMg 1-02) and of high lytic (BrMg 2-01, BrMg 2-02, BrMg 2-03 and BrPe 1-01) phenotypes. The DIF revealed positive results in cells infected by all isolates tested and the reference strains of CAEV (Cork) and visna-maedi (K1514). The used PCR amplified a 286 pb fragment of DNA from cells infected with all isolates and CAEV Cork but not with visna-maedi K1514.
Caprine; arthritis encephalitis; polimerase chain reaction
