Quantitative analysis of viremia and viral shedding in pigs infected experimentally with classical swine fever virus isolates obtained from recent outbreaks in Japan

Abstract

Although classical swine fever occurred in September 2018 for the first time in 26 years, its virulence is thought to be moderate based on field observations by veterinary authorities and our previous experimental infections. We quantified viremia and viral shedding in pigs infected with recent Japanese classical swine fever virus isolates, as well as a highly virulent strain. The results show that pigs infected with the Japanese strains exhibited lower viremia and viral shedding than those infected with the highly virulent strain. However, horizontal transmission occurred in pigs infected with the Japanese strains, similar to those infected with the highly virulent strain. Additionally, viremia and neuralization antibodies coexisted in pigs infected with the Japanese strains, presenting challenges for control measures.