Risk Factors and Seroprevalence of the Infection by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in Goats from Espírito Santo State, Southeastern Brazil

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis, a significant infectious disease that affects small ruminants and poses economic chal-lenges to livestock production. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of C. pseudotuberculosis in goats from Espírito Santo state, Brazil, and identify risk factors associated with the infection by the bacterium. Serum samples from 145 goats were analyzed using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall seroprevalence was found to be 34.5%. Risk factors significantly associated with infec-tion included the presence of abscesses and the absence of veterinary assistance on farms. The findings emphasize the need for improved management practices and vet-erinary oversight to mitigate caseous lymphadenitis transmission. This research pro-vides critical insights into the epidemiology of caseous lymphadenitis in goats from Espírito Santo, informing strategies for an effective disease control.