Pilot study on risk factors associated with caseous lymphadenitis and its seasonal prevalence in the Korean native goat

Abstract

Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is an endemic but not well-studied disease of Korean native goats (KNG) in Korea. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of the contagious and chronic CLA found in goats. This study aimed to validate the potential risk factors associated with CLA and assess its seasonal prevalence to mitigate this disease in KNG. Data were collected through a questionnaire from four high- and four low-prevalence farms randomly selected based on a prior investigation. The monthly assessments of CLA were conducted in a goat abattoir located in Jeonnam Province, Korea, to evaluate its seasonal prevalence. The associated risk factors for CLA in KNG herds imply that herd size, scratching against pillars, pipes, or walls in the herd, and disinfection of goat herds are potential risk factors for CLA (P<0.05). The type of floor and entry of new goats into the herd, which are potential risk factors, affected CLA prevalence in the KNG herd (P <0.2). The prevalence of CLA in KNG was significantly higher in spring (29.34%) than in autumn (14.61%), summer (15.31%), and winter (19.48%) (P <0.05). Based on the risk factor assessment, attention should be to establishing accurate preventive measures by avoiding these identified potential risk factors.