Seroreactivity to bovine leukemia virus in goat (Capra hircus) in Brazil

Goats are susceptible to Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) infection and may develop after experimental inoculation, the lymphosarcoma. Occurrence of goats (Capra hircus) seroreactors to BLV by agar-gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) in breeding animal’s submitted to interstate transportation in Brazil was surveyed for the period 2005-2007. Samples were collected from 298 animals in 19 municipalitiesfrom the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, São Paulo, Maranhão, Bahia, Pernambuco, and Pará prior transportation. No seroreactors were found, no matter the region of origin, breed, gender and age. The greatest number of samples came from the Northeast region 133 (44.63%), represented by the States of Pernambuco (35.9%) and Maranhão (4.7%), followed by the Southeast region represented by the Stateof São Paulo 103 (34.56%), followed by the Southern region 59 (19.8%) represented by Rio Grande do Sul (19.46%) and Paraná States (0.34%). A smaller number of samples came from the Northern region 3 (1.01%) represented by the State of Pará. Predominant breeds were Boer (meat production), 71.14%, followed by Anglo Nubian (meat and milk production), 2.68%, Saanen (milk production) 2.35%, and Toggenburg (milk production) 1.34; in 22.48% of the cases, breed was unknown. Most goat, 61.41%, were females, and 35.59% were males. Most, 51.01%, were adults (more than one year old) and 43.96% were less than one year old; age was unknown for 5.03%. Nevertheless, breeders and technicians shouldenforce strict hygiene/sanitary measures to commercialization and transportation, because goat breedingis expanding to become an important economic activity in Brazil, and the BLV virus represents a potentialrisk for goat health.