African Swine Fever Laboratory Diagnosis—Lessons Learned from Recent Animal Trials

Jutta Pikalo,Hanna Roszyk,Paul Deutschmann,Melina Fischer,Martin Beer,Sandra Blome

doi:10.3390/pathogens10020177

Abstract

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a hemorrhagic disease in pigs with high socio-economic consequences. To lower the impact of disease incursions, early detection is crucial. In the context of experimental animal trials, we evaluated diagnostic workflows for a high sample throughput in active surveillance, alternative sample matrices for passive surveillance, and lateral flow devices (LFD) for rapid testing. We could demonstrate that EDTA blood is significantly better suited for early ASFV detection than serum. Tissues recommended by the respective diagnostic manuals were in general comparable in their performance, with spleen samples giving best results. Superficial lymph nodes, ear punches, and different blood swabs were also evaluated as potential alternatives. In summary, all matrices yielded positive results at the peak of clinical signs and could be fit for purpose in passive surveillance. However, weaknesses were discovered for some matrices when it comes to the early phase of infection or recovery. The antigen LFD showed variable results with best performance in the clinical phase. The antibody LFD was quite comparable with ELISA systems. Concluding, alternative approaches are feasible but have to be embedded in control strategies selecting test methods and sample materials following a “fit-for-purpose” approach.

Highlights

African swine fever virus (ASFV), a large, enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus, which belongs to the genus Asfivirus within the Asfarviridae family, causes an often fatal hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boar with high socio-economic consequences worldwide [1]
Samples Taken from Domestic Pigs and Wild Boar Are Comparable
Taking the post infection data set of all wild boar and the directly corresponding domestic pigs (n = 13 each), none of the tested sample matrices showed significant differences

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. African swine fever virus (ASFV), a large, enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus, which belongs to the genus Asfivirus within the Asfarviridae family, causes an often fatal hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boar with high socio-economic consequences worldwide [1]. The disease has spread to several European and Asian countries and is still moving further, putting pig industry and the connected value chain at stake [2]

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Conclusion