EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVALUATION OF ENCEPHALITIC LISTERIOSIS IN GOATS

Objective-To evaluate host and environmental factors associated with t he development of encephalitic listeriosis in goats, Design-Retrospect ive analysis of diagnostic laboratory records and survey of veterinari ans and goat producers. Sample Population-355 goal herds accessible th rough laboratory records; 38 veterinarians who treated goats and 76 go at producers. Procedure-Data regarding breed and use for goats affecte d with encephalitic listeriosis were obtained from surveys and case fo llow-up information. Listeria monocytogenes isolates from the brains o f 7 affected goats were serotyped and subjected to DNA restriction ana lysis. Results-Odds ratio for the development of encephalitis listerio sis in Angora (mohair-producing) goals was 22.9 by use of diagnostic l aboratory records. Surveys also revealed a high prevalence in herds of Angora and other breeds that subsisted on woody browse, although Ango ra goats feeding predominantly on hay or pasture were not affected. li steria monocytogenes isolates from 4 Angora goats in 3 herds differed in DNA restriction patterns, although the pattern was identical in 3 o ther goals from another herd. Clinical Implications-Encephalitic liste riosis can be observed in all goat breeds, but a lifestyle of heavy br owse consumption seems important to the development of disease in some herds.