Distribution and risk factors of clinical caseous lymphadenitis in small-holder goat herds in northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Clinical caseous lymphadenitis was observed in 60 of 1,186 goats. A total of 34 small holder goat farms were investigated in 11 provinces in the northeastern part of Thailand. Approximately 66.67% of clinical caseous lymphadenitis goats were infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, as confirmed by an ELISA test or bacterial culture. The average prevalence of clinical caseous lymphadenitis in herds was 6.36+4.30% (4.86–7.86; 95% CI). The abscessation of a superficial lymph node was commonly found in proximal (46.67%), middle (38.33%), and distal (15%) parts of the body. The location of the lesion was significantly associated (p<0.05) with positivity either from ELISA or bacterial culture, as goats with lesionsinthe distal part of the body showed a higher positivity (90%)than at theproximal (75%) and middle parts (45%) (p=0.02), respectively. No significant difference was observed for goat gender, age, or breed in terms of infection prevalence or displays of clinical signs of caseous lymphadenitis (p>0.05). Control and prevention measures should incorporate client education on a number of factors, including disease transmission to humans, clinical signs, impact on animal health and production loss and treatment.