Animal Molecular Breeding, 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 72-81 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 75 addition, Trypanosomiasis infection rates of 77% in some areas of Argentina indicate that environmental aspects and seasonal fluctuation play a significant part in disease epidemiology (Rahman et al., 2022). Trends suggest that there is a need for continuous investigation and control globally to mitigate the impact of infectious diseases on goat populations. 3.2 Biosecurity measures and management strategies Biosecurity interventions and management plans are at the heart of the prevention of infectious disease transmission among goat flocks. Effective biosecurity activities, such as animal movement control and good hygiene, are key to the control of diseases such as Q fever (caused by Coxiella burnetii). Vaccination programs spanning the long term and in conjunction with biosecurity plans can effectively prevent outbreaks and conserve public health through the reduction of pathogen shedding and environmental contamination (Toledo-Perona et al., 2024). In addition, in paratuberculosis prevention, the implementation of biosecurity can guarantee preventing disease agents from entering and being transmitted into and within herds (Pilarczyk et al., 2021). 3.3 Current use and challenges of antibiotics and alternatives Although antibiotic administration is a traditional disease control strategy, other strategy advances have become increasingly important as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increased. Yang (2024) proved that the transfer of passive immunity as a natural alternative has provided promising results towards improving the survival rate of intensively raised dairy goat lambs. Experiments have shown that increasing the success rate of passive immunization has an effect similar to the prevention therapy with antibiotics on reducing mortality and, therefore, can reduce antibiotic dependency and the threat of drug resistance. In addition, vaccination remains an affordable method of disease control, especially to prevention and paratuberculosis control, although vaccine effectiveness and interference with diagnostic tests remain issues (Sharma et al., 2021). 3.4 Correlation between ecological farming and disease prevention Ecological farming also has close connection with the prevention of goat disease. Ecological farming lays emphasis on natural resistance to disease and reduces the use of chemicals, which is in agreement with reducing antibiotic use and improving animal welfare. By combining ecological farming concepts with epidemic prevention measures such as vaccination and biosafety, the epidemic prevention effects would be improved and more sustainable. Although there is limited special research regarding the interface between ecological farming and goat disease management, the basic principles of ecological farming are in line with the general goal of reducing occurrences of disease and promoting herd health through nature-based and sustainable methods (Arteche-Villasol et al., 2021). 4 Fundamentals and Advances in Goat Immunology 4.1 Structural and functional characteristics of the goat immune system As in other ruminants, the immune system of the goat is classified into two major components: innate immunity and acquired immunity, which work together to protect against invasion by pathogens. Roest et al. (2013) proved that innate immune cells consist of physical barriers, phagocytes, and acute phase proteins such as ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin, which are indicators of inflammatory response and activation of innate immunity. Acquired immunity is chiefly characterized by the production of specific antibodies and activation of T and B lymphocytes, and is the most significant mechanism for acquiring long-term immunity. 4.2 Humoral and cellular immune mechanisms Goats can develop strong humoral and cell-mediated immune responses upon vaccination against various pathogens. Vaccination against, for example, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) induces humoral and cell-mediated immune responses as shown by effective proliferation of T cell subsets and antibody production (Matos et al., 2017). In addition, vaccination against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Clostridium perfringens can induce the humoral immune system and production of specific immunoglobulins. Cell-mediated immune responses such as the production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) are also critical for the combat against intracellular pathogens such as Coxiella burnetii.
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