[The mammary gland: target organ for infection with the caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus].

Fifteen goats, culled from herds in which infection with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) was important, were studied. Eleven animals presented, at clinical examination, the signs ('hard udder' and lymphoid nodes hyperplasia) of a subclinical viral mammary infection confirmed by the interstitial accumulation of lymphocytes and the presence of CAEV in the mammary gland. Lactation induced in 2 goats suggests that the viral expression depends on the physiological status of the udder. This study helps to support that the mammary gland is an important target organ for infection with CAEV and underlines the advantage of heated colostrum and proper milking management for preventing CAEV transmission.