Abstract

The COST Action ASF-STOP brought together an extensive network of scientists of remarkable excellence on African swine fever (ASF) vaccinology, virology, immunology, diagnostics and pathology. The network also includes global leaders in wild boar ecology and management, renowned epidemiologists specialised in ASF and disease control and scientists with vast expertise in the pig sector in Europe, biosecurity, cleaning and disinfection in pig holdings. This book collects updated knowledge in these fields, with a focus on the European situation. ASF-STOP coordinated and integrated research on ASF. Despite the new knowledge generated on ASF by scientists in Europe and worldwide, many unknowns still remain. For example, many expressed ASF virus (ASFV) genes remain uncharacterised and the information is needed for efficient antiviral drug and vaccine development. Crucial interactions between ASFV and cells like macrophages or dendritic cells are not yet completely understood. Research is needed on the mechanisms of protective immunity and identifying further viral proteins for inclusion in subunit vaccines. An in-depth analysis of the impact of ASF on the structure of the pig farming system in the EU has not yet been conducted, and transmission risks from the wild boar-habitat epidemiological cycle to the domestic pig cycle are still not fully understood. The pig sector is one of the most economically significant farming sectors in the EU and pork is the most consumed meat. The EU is the world’s second biggest producer of pork. In both the wild boar-habitat and the domestic pig epidemiological cycle fully implemented biosecurity can hinder or eliminate virus transmission. National legislation and EU regulations set out clear regulations for controlling ASF. However, across Europe, wild boar populations are growing in size and range and the control of ASF continues to be a major challenge. The great socio-economic impact of ASF calls for further collaborative efforts to tackle this disease.

Highlights

  • A definitive diagnosis of African swine fever (ASF) is based on the results of laboratory tests, data from the farm or field and information regarding the epidemiological situation

  • This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA15116, ASF-STOP, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). www.cost.eu

  • This publication is based on work from ‘Understanding and combating African swine fever in Europe (ASF-STOP COST action 15116)’ supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)

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Summary

A European perspective edited by

This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA15116, ASF-STOP, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation. This book is published under a cc-by license. The content of this publication and any liabilities arising from it remain the responsibility of the author. The publisher is not responsible for possible damages, which could be a result of content derived from this publication

Where ASF-STOP comes from
Where ASF-STOP stands
African swine fever virus: cellular and molecular aspects
General features of African swine fever virus
Genome, phylogeny and evolution of African swine fever virus
ASF virus: cellular and molecular aspects
XIII 36 22 XIV 53
African swine fever virus transcription and transcriptomics
Discrete stages of viral gene expression during infection
A genome-wide view of transcription
E: Early L
Mapping ASFV transcripts
ASFV transcription start sites and promoter motifs
Transcription termination signature motifs
Untranslated regions and RNA-5’ tailing
The importance of transcriptomics for fundamental and applied ASFV research
The proteome of African swine fever virus-infected cells
Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic studies
Studies including mass spectrometry
Structure and composition of the infectious African swine fever virus particle
A Outer envelope Outer capsid Inner envelope Core shell Nucleoid
ASFV architecture
ASFV proteome
ASFV nucleoid
Core shell
Inner envelope
Outer capsid
Outer envelope
Host proteins
ASFV infectious entry
Innate immune response against ASFV
ASFV genome replication
African swine fever in the natural host
African swine fever clinical presentations
Antiviral agents against African swine fever virus
Nucleoside analogues
Flavonoids: genistein and genkwanin
Interferons
Antibiotics
Acknowledgements and funding
Immune responses against African swine fever virus infection
Introduction to anti-viral immune responses
Innate immunity: the first line of defence
Macrophages
Dendritic cells
Type I interferon
Humoral responses against African swine fever virus upon infection
Cellular response against African swine fever virus upon infection
CD8+ cytotoxic T cells
CD4+ T helper cells
Natural killer cells
Regulatory T cells
Immunity unknowns
Pathology of African swine fever
Clinical signs and forms of African swine fever
Pathology of ASF
Peracute/hyperacute forms of African swine fever
Acute forms of African swine fever
Subacute forms of African swine fever
Pathology of ASF B
Chronic forms of African swine fever
Macroscopic lesions
Pathology of ASF B D F H
Virus replication, spread and associated changes
Integumentary and skeletal system
Lymphoid system
Spleen
Pathogenesis of hyperaemic splenomegaly
Lymph nodes
Tonsils
Thymus
Pathogenesis of lymphoid depletion
Bone marrow
Pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia
Gastrointestinal tract
Liver and gall bladder
Acute phase response in acute African swine fever
Cardiorespiratory system
Pathogenesis of pulmonary oedema
Urinary system
Pathology of ASF C
Pathogenesis of haemorrhages
4.5.10 Reproductive system
4.5.11 Endocrine system
4.5.12 Central nervous system
Introduction
Sample collection
Organs and tissues
Faeces
Oral fluids
Surface sampling
5.2.10 Blood-stained materials
African swine fever virus detection tests
Methods for ASF diagnosis in clinical and environmental samples
African swine fever antibody detection tests
Front-line African swine fever diagnostic tests
Some considerations on African swine fever diagnosis
African swine fever virus survival in pork products
Methods for African swine fever virus detection in pork products
Use of protective equipment
Labelling and supplementary documentation
Packaging and shipping
Waste management
African swine fever vaccines
Introduction and classic approaches to vaccination
Immune serum
Inactivated virus
Attenuation by passage
The recombinant revolution: targeted gene deletion
Genotype II vaccines
Protein vaccines
DNA vaccines
Viral vectors
Disabled infectious single cycle African swine fever vaccines
Conclusions
The pig sector in the European Union
Characteristics of pig farming in the European Union
Husbandry and management system in pig farms
EU classification of pig holdings in relation to African swine fever and biosecurity
Change in trends and consumer’s demands
Wild boar demographic trends
Density data
Factors affecting population dynamics and growth
Impacts on biodiversity
Damage to crops and pastures
Traffic accidents
Urban incursions
Disease implications
Reducing wild boar population numbers in the absence of African swine fever
Hunting
Trapping
Translocations
Fertility control
Use of toxicants
Comparison of methods
Artificial feeding
Fencing and other measures to reduce wild boar movement
Method
Wildlife corridors in transport infrastructure
Management of wild boar populations applied in the context of African swine fever control
Zoning
Methods to restrict wild boar movement
Transboundary fencing
Focal fencing
Habitat management
Methods for reducing wild boar populations
Hunting to control populations
Intensive hunting policy
Combination of different methods
Passive surveillance
Carcass management and biosecurity
Stakeholder communication
Future trends for improving carcass detection and reporting
Oral administration of pharmaceuticals to wild boar
New technologies to record and restrict wild boar movements
Final remarks
Susceptibility of Suidae
Transmission
Arthropod vectors
Incubation period, morbidity and mortality
Contagiousness
Transmission patterns
Speed of disease propagation in wild boar populations
The role of wild boar in African swine fever epidemiology
African swine fever in the Iberian Peninsula (1957-1994)
African swine fever in Sardinia
Caucasus
Russia
Belarus
Ukraine
Moldova
African swine fever in the EU 2014-present
Regulatory framework for prevention and control of African swine fever in the EU
Control of African swine fever in domestic pigs
Surveillance of African swine fever in domestic pigs
Control and eradication of ASF in wild boar
Conclusions and recommendations
10. Biosecurity measures against African swine fever in domestic pigs
10.1 Introduction
10. Biosecurity measures against ASF in domestic pigs
25 Ante-mortem vet supervision and during home slaughter
10.3 Minimum biosecurity measures for commercial pig farms
10.3.1 Farm location
10.3.2 Structural biosecurity
10.3.3 Animal health status
10.3.4 All-in-all-out system
10.3.5 Good farming practices
10.3.6 Visits
10.3.8 Farm records
10.4 Minimum biosecurity measures for non-commercial pig farms
10.4.1 General biosecurity measures for non-commercial farms
10.4.2 Biosecurity measures if locally harvested grass and straw represent a risk
10.4.3 Additional biosecurity measures regarding veterinary inspection
10.5 Minimum biosecurity measures for outdoor pig holdings
No other animals species in outdoor holding
10. BIOSECURITY requirements controlled in each visited holding
11. Cleaning and disinfection in the domestic pig sector
11.1 Introduction
11.2 African swine fever virus characteristics
11.3 Cleaning and disinfection protocol
11.3.1 Classification of cleaning agents
11.3.2 Dry cleaning to remove all organic material
11.3.3 Wet cleaning
11.3.4 Rinsing to remove residues of detergents
11.3.5 Drying surfaces to avoid dilution of the disinfectant
11.3.6 Disinfection
11.3.6.1 Disinfectants effective against African swine fever virus
11.3.6.2 Material composition
11.3.6.3 Factors affecting the efficacy of disinfectants
11.3.6.4 Precautions for the use of disinfectants
11.3.7 Drying
11.4.1 Buildings
11.4.2 Equipment
11.4.3 Vehicles
11.4.4 Personnel
11.5 Manure
12. Conclusions
Gavier-Widén et al
Findings
12.1 Summary and conclusions

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