The mammary gland as a target organ for infection with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus.

A herd of 15 dairy goats with a previous history of neurological disease in kids was screened for caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) virus infection. Virus was isolated from the PBL of all animals as well as milk from lactating does. All animals had antibody detected by ELISA and gel immuno-diffusion. Two animals from this herd were examined for responses to infection. One was an adult female with poor milk production and the other was a 3-month-old female kid which developed acute neurological disease. Both animals had a chronic mastitis compatible with a viral aetiology, and CAE virus was isolated from the mammary tissue of both. The mammary gland must thus be considered an important target organ for virus infection and dissemination.