<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec>
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Maedi-visna virus and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus are two closely related lentiviruses which cause multisystemic, progressive and persistent infection in goats and sheep. Because these viruses frequently cross the species barrier, they are considered to be one genetic group called small-ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV). They have <italic>in vivo</italic> tropism mainly for monocytes and macrophages and organ tropism with unknown mechanisms. Typical clinical signs are pneumonia in sheep, arthritis in goats, and mastitis in both species. Infection with SRLV cannot currently be treated or prevented, and control programmes are the only approaches to avoiding its spread. These programmes rely mainly on annual serological testing and elimination of positive animals. However, the high genetic and antigenic variability of SRLV complicate their early and definitive diagnosis. The objective of this review is to summarise the current knowledge of SRLV genetic variation and its implications for tropism, the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines and the effectiveness of control and eradication programmes.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<h3>Material and Methods</h3>
<p>Subject literature was selected from the PubMed and the Google Scholar databases.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<h3>Results</h3>
<p>The high genetic diversity of SRLV affects the performance of diagnostic tools and therefore control programmes. For the early and definitive diagnosis of SRLV infection, a combination of serological and molecular tests is suggested. Testing by PCR can also be considered for sub-yearling animals. There are still significant gaps in our knowledge of the epidemiology, immunology and biology of SRLV and their impact on animal production and welfare.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>This information may aid selection of the most effective SRLV spread reduction measures.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Introduction
Maedi-visna virus and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus are two closely related lentiviruses which cause multisystemic, progressive and persistent infection in goats and sheep. Because these viruses frequently cross the species barrier, they are considered to be one genetic group called small-ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV). They have in vivo tropism mainly for monocytes and macrophages and organ tropism with unknown mechanisms. Typical clinical signs are pneumonia in sheep, arthritis in goats, and mastitis in both species. Infection with SRLV cannot currently be treated or prevented, and control programmes are the only approaches to avoiding its spread. These programmes rely mainly on annual serological testing and elimination of positive animals. However, the high genetic and antigenic variability of SRLV complicate their early and definitive diagnosis. The objective of this review is to summarise the current knowledge of SRLV genetic variation and its implications for tropism, the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines and the effectiveness of control and eradication programmes.


Material and Methods
Subject literature was selected from the PubMed and the Google Scholar databases.


Results
The high genetic diversity of SRLV affects the performance of diagnostic tools and therefore control programmes. For the early and definitive diagnosis of SRLV infection, a combination of serological and molecular tests is suggested. Testing by PCR can also be considered for sub-yearling animals. There are still significant gaps in our knowledge of the epidemiology, immunology and biology of SRLV and their impact on animal production and welfare.


Conclusion
This information may aid selection of the most effective SRLV spread reduction measures.

The genetic variability of small-ruminant lentiviruses and its impact on tropism, the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines and the effectiveness of control programmes

Journal of Veterinary Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Introduction
Maedi-visna virus and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus are two closely related lentiviruses which cause multisystemic, progressive and...

The genetic variability of small-ruminant lentiviruses and its impact on tropism, the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines and the effectiveness of control programmes

Published Online: Dec 19, 2023

Page range: 479 - 502

Received: Jun 19, 2023

Accepted: Nov 13, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2023-0064

Keywords
SRLV, control, diagnosis, pathogenesis, variability

© 2023 Monika Olech, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The genetic variability of small-ruminant lentiviruses and its impact on tropism, the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines and the effectiveness of control programmes

Published Online: Dec 19, 2023

Page range: 479 - 502

Received: Jun 19, 2023

Accepted: Nov 13, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2023-0064

KeywordsSRLV, control, diagnosis, pathogenesis, variability

© 2023 Monika Olech, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
SRLV, control, diagnosis, pathogenesis, variability