Cytokine and antibody production in naturally occuring caprine arthritis encephalitis virus infections in West African dwarf goats

Abstract

A fortnightly determination of the levels of neutralizing antibodies in eight symptomatic and asymptomatic caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) virus infected adult West African Dwarf goats was carried out over a six month period. The immunological response of each goat as the infection progressed was determined by titrating the serum antibody level against the viral load using Goat Synovial Membrane cells as the indicator medium. Titre end-points were determined by recording the wells showing the characteristic cytopathic effects of giant cell formation and ballooning. Viral load determination was done by estimating the number of virons in the plasma of the affected goats. Using ELISA technique, the cytokine levels in the serum and CSF were estimated as the infection progressed. This study revealed that in the face of active production of neutralizing antibody and copious secretion of IL-8 and IL-10, the infection still progressed to a full blown diseases among the asymptomatic infected goats thus indicating that the neutralizing antibody produced could not mount an effective resistance against the progress of the disease in the affected animals. Keywords : cytokine, neutralizing antibody, CAEV, cytopathic effects Tropical Veterinarian Vol. 23(1) 2005: 18-24