[Caprine arthritis-encephalitis in Algeria].

During an outbreak of caprine arthritis-encephalitis on an experimental farm, the virus responsible for this disease was isolated from imported animals. A serological survey was then carried out with the purpose of determining the prevalence of the disease among other imported herds of goats, local herds and mixed herds. Positive serological results were found at relatively high levels in both imported and mixed herds. All the local herds, however, yielded negative serological results, suggesting that caprine arthritis-encephalitis did not exist in Algeria before the importation of reproductive animals with a high genetic potential.