Phenotypic alteration of blood and milk leukocytes in goats naturally infected with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV)

Abstract Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) causes a persistent and slow progressive infection in goats, characterized by chronic proliferative sinovitis, arthritis and, less frequently, pneumonia. Infected goats can also be affected by interstitial mastitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of CAEV infection on the phenotypic composition of leukocyte subsets in blood and milk, during lactation. CD8 positive cells in blood and milk were more numerous in CAEV positive goats when compared to negative goats. γδTcR positive cells were higher in blood but not in milk of CAEV positive goats. The content of cells expressing MHC class II molecules was higher in blood from CAEV negative goats, while the content of activated cells was higher in milk from CAEV infected goats.