This epidemiological study in the State of Ceará, Brazil was motivated by the risk of infection with caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) through introduction of exotic caprines. For diagnosis of CAEV infection the agar gel imunodifusion microtechnic was used. 4019 goat serum samples were collected in 30 counties. The prevalence of CAEV infection was 1% (40/4019 animals). The highest prevalence (11.1%) was found in the metropolitan area of Fortaleza, the area with highest goat milk production. The analysis of the distribution of seropositive animals in the studied counties showed that 33% (10/30) had at least one positive animal. The highest prevalence was found (p <0.05) in older animals. The males were more affected (p<0.05). The pure breeds presented 5.02% of animals with antibodies against the CAEV and the half-breeds 0,12%. The Alpine breed was the more affected (p<0.05) among all breeds studied. It was verified that the small ruminant lentivirus is already disseminated in several areas of the Stete of Ceará and that the males are probably the main source of transmission to the native/SRD flocks.
goat; caprine lentivirus; CAEV; prevalence; Ceara state
