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Petrini S, Brutti A, Casciari C, Calderone D, Pela M, Giammarioli M, Righi C, Feliziani F. High-Pressure Processing of Different Tissue Homogenates from Pigs Challenged with the African Swine Fever Virus. Viruses 2024; 16:638. [PMID: 38675978 PMCID: PMC11053747 DOI: 10.3390/v16040638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a disease that is a growing threat to the global swine industry. Regulations and restrictions are placed on swine movement to limit the spread of the virus. However, these are costly and time-consuming. Therefore, this study aimed to determine if high-pressure processing (HPP) sanitization techniques would be effective against the ASF virus. Here, it was hypothesized that HPP could inactivate or reduce ASF virus infectivity in tissue homogenates. To test this hypothesis, 30 aliquots of each homogenate (spleen, kidney, loin) were challenge-infected with the Turin/83 strain of ASF, at a 10 7.20 median hemadsorption dose (HAD)50/mL. Subsequently, eight aliquots of each homogenate were treated with 600 millipascal (600 MPa) HPP for 3, 5, and 7 min. Six untreated aliquots were used as the controls. Virological results showed a reduction in the viral titer of more than 7-log. These results support the validity of the study hypothesis since HPP treatment was effective in inactivating ASFV in artificially prepared samples. Overall, this study suggests the need for further investigation of other ASFV-contaminated meat products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Petrini
- National Reference Centre for Pestiviruses and Asfivirus, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.G.); (C.R.); (F.F.)
| | - Andrea Brutti
- SSICA Stazione Sperimentale per l’Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Fondazione di Ricerca Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy;
| | - Cristina Casciari
- National Reference Centre for Pestiviruses and Asfivirus, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.G.); (C.R.); (F.F.)
| | - Davide Calderone
- Associazione Industriali delle Carni e dei Salumi (ASSICA), 20089 Milan, Italy;
| | - Michela Pela
- National Reference Centre for Pestiviruses and Asfivirus, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.G.); (C.R.); (F.F.)
| | - Monica Giammarioli
- National Reference Centre for Pestiviruses and Asfivirus, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.G.); (C.R.); (F.F.)
| | - Cecilia Righi
- National Reference Centre for Pestiviruses and Asfivirus, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.G.); (C.R.); (F.F.)
| | - Francesco Feliziani
- National Reference Centre for Pestiviruses and Asfivirus, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (M.P.); (M.G.); (C.R.); (F.F.)
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Walczak M, Szymankiewicz K, Rodriguez F, Argilaguet J, Gavrilov B, Żmudzki J, Kochanowski M, Juszkiewicz M, Szczotka-Bochniarz A. Molecular contamination of an animal facility during and after African swine fever virus infection. J Vet Res 2023; 67:503-508. [PMID: 38130453 PMCID: PMC10730545 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2023-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The molecular contamination of an animal facility was investigated during and after an infection with highly pathogenic African swine fever virus (ASFV) among domestic pigs. The investigation evaluated the risk of indirect transmission of the disease and indicated points that may facilitate cleaning and disinfection processes. Material and Methods Six domestic pigs were infected oronasally with the highly pathogenic Georgia 2007 strain. Environmental samples from the floors, walls, rubber floor mats, feeders, drinkers, high-efficiency particulate-absorbing filter covers and doors were collected 7 days post infection (dpi), 7 days later and 24 h after disinfection of the facility. The samples were investigated by real-time PCR and in vitro assays to find genetic traces of ASFV and infectious virus. Results Typical clinical outcomes for ASF (i.e. fever, apathy, recumbency and bloody diarrhoea) were observed, and all animals died or required euthanasia before or at 9 dpi. No infectious virus was found in environmental samples at the sampling time points. Genetic traces of ASFV were found in all locations except the doors. The initial virus load was calculated using real-time PCR threshold cycle values and was the highest at the drain. A statistically significant decrease of virus load over time was found on non-porous surfaces mechanically cleaned by water (the floor and drain). Conclusion The gathered data confirmed different routes of virus excretion (oral and nasal, faeces and urine, and aerosol) and showed virus locations and different initial concentrations in the animal facility. Maintaining the facility with mechanical cleaning and using personal protection (gloves) and hand disinfection may efficiently minimise the risk of further virus spread. Together with the results of previously published studies, the present investigations' failure to isolate infectious virus may suggest that if stable environmental conditions are assured, the time needed before the introduction of new herds into previously ASF-affected farm facilities could be shortened and in this way the economic losses caused by the disease outbreak mitigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Walczak
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100Puławy, Poland
| | | | - Fernando Rodriguez
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases in Europe, IRTA-CReSA, 08193Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Argilaguet
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for Emerging and Re-emerging Pig Diseases in Europe, IRTA-CReSA, 08193Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jacek Żmudzki
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100Puławy, Poland
| | - Maciej Kochanowski
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100Puławy, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Juszkiewicz
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100Puławy, Poland
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Ekakoro JE, Nawatti M, Singler DF, Ochoa K, Kizza R, Ndoboli D, Ndumu DB, Wampande EM, Havas KA. A survey of biosecurity practices of pig farmers in selected districts affected by African swine fever in Uganda. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1245754. [PMID: 37662985 PMCID: PMC10469975 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1245754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In Uganda, pig production is an important source of livelihood for many people and contributes to food security. African swine fever (ASF) is a major constraint to pig production in Uganda, threatening the food supply and sustainable livelihoods. Prevention of ASF primarily relies on good biosecurity practices along the pig value chain. Previous studies showed that biosecurity along the pig value chain and on farms in Uganda is poor. However, the biosecurity practices of pig farmers in ASF affected areas of Uganda and their opinions on on-farm ASF morbidity and mortality were previously not comprehensively characterized. The objectives of this study were to document pig farmers' experiences with ASF in their farms and to describe the pig biosecurity practices in districts of Uganda that were highly affected by ASF. Methods A total of 99 farmers were interviewed in five districts. Data were collected by way of triangulation through farmer interviews, field observations during the farmer interviews, and a survey of key informants. However, farmer interviews were considered the primary source of data for this study. Farmers' biosecurity practices were scored using a biosecurity scoring algorithm. Results Forty-one out of 96 (42.7%) farmers reported having pigs with ASF in the past 12 months. The level of pig farming experience (p = 0.0083) and herd size (p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with the reported occurrence of ASF. Overall, the biosecurity scores for the respondents were considered poor with 99% (98/99) scoring <70% and just one farmer obtaining a fair score of 72.2%. District (p = 0.0481), type of husbandry system (p = 0.014), and type of pig breed raised (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with farmer's biosecurity score. Conclusion Continued farmer education on ASF and the importance of good biosecurity practices is necessary. More in-depth scientific inquiry into the factors influencing the biosecurity practices among pig farmers in Uganda is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. Ekakoro
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Margaret Nawatti
- Department of Political Science and Public Administration, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David F. Singler
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Krista Ochoa
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Robinah Kizza
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dickson Ndoboli
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Deo B. Ndumu
- Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Eddie M. Wampande
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Karyn A. Havas
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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Choi JH, Namgung H, Lim SJ, Kim EK, Oh Y, Park YC. Predicting Suitable Areas for African Swine Fever Outbreaks in Wild Boars in South Korea and Their Implications for Managing High-Risk Pig Farms. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2148. [PMID: 37443946 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars, with no effective vaccine or treatment available. In South Korea, extensive measures have been implemented to prevent ASF transmission between wild boars and ASF spillover from wild boars to pig farm sectors, including the search for ASF-infected carcasses in mountainous forests and the installation of fences across wide areas of these forests. To determine the priority search range for infected carcasses and establish pig farm-centered quarantine measures, it is necessary to predict the specific path of ASF outbreaks in wild boars and identify pig farms at high risk of ASF spillover from wild boars. Here, we aimed to predict suitable areas and geographical paths for ASF outbreaks in wild boars using the MaxEnt model and shortest-path betweenness centrality analysis. The analysis identified a high frequency of ASF outbreaks in areas with a suitability value ≥0.4 on the suitability map and in areas within a 1.8 km range from the path on the shortest-path map, indicating these areas were high-risk zones for ASF outbreaks. Among the 5063 pig farms analyzed, 37 were in the high-risk zone on the suitability map, 499 were in the high-risk zone on the shortest-path map, and 9 were in both risk zones. Of the 51 pig farm sectors with a dense distribution of pig farms (kernel density ≥ 8), 25 sectors were in contact with or partially overlapped the high risk zone on the suitability map, 18 sectors were located within the high risk zone on the shortest-path map, and 14 sectors were located within both risk zones. These findings aided in determining the priority range for searches for wild boar carcasses and enabled the establishment of preemptive ASF prevention measures around the pig farming sectors that are at risk of ASF spillover from wild boars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Hui Choi
- College of Forest & Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun Namgung
- Ecological Survey Division, Korea National Park Research Institute, Wonju 26441, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jin Lim
- College of Forest & Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui Kyeong Kim
- Ecological Survey Division, Korea National Park Research Institute, Wonju 26441, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonsu Oh
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung Chul Park
- College of Forest & Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
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Plut J, Hajdinjak M, Prodanov-Radulović J, Grubač S, Djurdjević B, Štukelj M. Risk Factor Impact on African Swine Fever Transmission in Different Extensive Pig Production Settings in Serbia. Viruses 2023; 15:1232. [PMID: 37376532 DOI: 10.3390/v15061232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The first case of ASF in a domestic pig population in Serbia was confirmed in 2019 in a backyard population. Today, outbreaks in wild boar and, more importantly, in domestic pigs are still occurring, although the government measures for ASF prevention are in place. The aim of this study was to determine critical risk factors and identify the possible reasons for ASF introduction into different extensive pig farms. The study was conducted on 26 extensive pig farms with confirmed ASF outbreaks, with data collected from beginning of 2020 to the end of 2022. Collected epidemiological data were divided into 21 main categories. After identifying specific values of variables as critical for ASF transmission, we identified nine important ASF transmission indicators as those variables for which at least 2/3 of the observed farms reported values critical for ASF transmission. Among them were type of holding, distance to hunting ground, farm/yard fencing, and home slaughtering; however, the hunting activity of pig holders, swill feeding, and feeding with mowed green mass were not included. We represented the data in the form of contingency tables to study associations between pairs of variables using Fisher's exact test. All pairs of variables in the group including type of holding, farm/yard fencing, domestic pig-wild boar contact, and hunting activity were significantly related; hunting activity of pig holders, holding pigs in backyards, unfenced yards, and domestic pig-wild boar contact were observed on the same farms. Free-range pig farming led to observed domestic pig-wild boar contact on all farms. The identified critical risk factors need to be strictly addressed to prevent the further spread of ASF to extensive farms and backyards in Serbia and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Plut
- Clinic for Ruminants and Pigs, Clinic for Reproduction and Large Animals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Melita Hajdinjak
- Laboratory of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Siniša Grubač
- Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Marina Štukelj
- Clinic for Ruminants and Pigs, Clinic for Reproduction and Large Animals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Duc HM, Hutchinson M, Flory GA, Ngan PH, Son HM, Hung LV, Hoa TTK, Lan NT, Lam TQ, Rozeboom D, Remmenga MD, Vuolo M, Miknis R, Burns A, Flory R. Viability of African Swine Fever Virus with the Shallow Burial with Carbon Carcass Disposal Method. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040628. [PMID: 37111514 PMCID: PMC10140975 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious swine disease with high mortality. In many countries, culling pigs infected and exposed to the ASF virus is mandatory to control the disease, which poses a real challenge in the disposal of large numbers of carcasses during ASF outbreaks. Shallow burial with carbon (SBC) Thanks ew mortality disposal method developed from deep burial and composting. The present study investigates the effectiveness of SBC in disposing of ASF virus-infected pigs. The real-time PCR results showed that DNA of the ASF virus was still detected in bone marrow samples on day 56, while the virus isolation test revealed that the infectious ASF virus was destroyed in both spleen and bone marrow samples on day 5. Interestingly, decomposition was found to occur rapidly in these shallow burial pits. On day 144, only large bones were found in the burial pit. In general, the results of this study indicated that SBC is a potential method for the disposal of ASF-infected carcasses; however, further studies are needed to provide more scientific evidence for the efficacy of SBC in different environment conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Minh Duc
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi 12406, Vietnam
| | - Mark Hutchinson
- Maine Food and Agriculture Center, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Orono, ME 04473, USA
| | - Gary A Flory
- G.A. Flory Consulting, Mt. Crawford, VA 22841, USA
| | - Pham Hong Ngan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi 12406, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Minh Son
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi 12406, Vietnam
| | - Le Van Hung
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi 12406, Vietnam
| | - Tran Thi Khanh Hoa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi 12406, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi Lan
- Department of Pathoglogy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi 12406, Vietnam
| | - Truong Quang Lam
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi 12406, Vietnam
| | - Dale Rozeboom
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University Cooperative Extension, Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Marta D Remmenga
- Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - Matthew Vuolo
- Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - Robert Miknis
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - Amira Burns
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Renée Flory
- English Department, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Luan Y, Gou J, Zhong D, Ma L, Yin C, Shu M, Liu G, Lin Q. The Tick-Borne Pathogens: An Overview of China's Situation. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:1-20. [PMID: 36642777 PMCID: PMC9841149 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00658-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are important medical arthropods that can transmit hundreds of pathogens, such as parasites, bacteria, and viruses, leading to serious public health burdens worldwide. Unexplained fever is the most common clinical manifestation of tick-borne diseases. Since the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases led to the hospital overload and fewer laboratory tests for tick-borne diseases. Therefore, it is essential to review the tick-borne pathogens and further understand tick-borne diseases. PURPOSE The geographic distribution and population of ticks in the Northern hemisphere have expanded while emerging tick-borne pathogens have been introduced to China continuously. This paper focused on the tick-borne pathogens that are threatening public health in the world. Their medical significant tick vectors, as well as the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control measures, are emphasized in this document. METHODS In this study, all required data were collected from articles indexed in English databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. RESULTS Ticks presented a great threat to the economy and public health. Although both infections by tick-borne pathogens and SARS-CoV-2 have fever symptoms, the history of tick bite and its associated symptoms such as encephalitis or eschar could be helpful for the differential diagnosis. Additionally, as a carrier of vector ticks, migratory birds may play a potential role in the geographical expansion of ticks and tick-borne pathogens during seasonal migration. CONCLUSION China should assess the risk score of vector ticks and clarify the potential role of migratory birds in transmitting ticks. Additionally, the individual and collective protection, vector control, comprehensive surveillance, accurate diagnosis, and symptomatic treatment should be carried out, to meet the challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Luan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.,School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jingmin Gou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongjie Zhong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Li Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuansong Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Minfeng Shu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Guangyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China
| | - Qing Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China.
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8
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Barroso-Arévalo S, Díaz-Frutos M, Kosowska A, Pérez-Sancho M, Domínguez L, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. A useful tool for the safe diagnosis and control of the two main pandemics of the XXI century: COVID-19 and African Swine Fever disease. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282632. [PMID: 36877705 PMCID: PMC9987814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the disease triggered by the African Swine Fever virus are currently two of the main problems regarding public and animal health, respectively. Although vaccination seems to be the ideal tool for controlling these diseases, it has several limitations. Therefore, early detection of the pathogen is critical in order to apply preventive and control measures. Real-time PCR is the main technique used for the detection of both viruses, which requires previous processing of the infectious material. If the potentially infected sample is inactivated at the time of sampling, the diagnosis will be accelerated, impacting positively on the diagnosis and control of the disease. Here, we evaluated the inactivation and preservation properties of a new surfactant liquid for non-invasive and environmental sampling of both viruses. Our results demonstrated that the surfactant liquid effectively inactivates SARS-CoV-2 and African Swine Fever virus in only five minutes, and allows for the preservation of the genetic material for long periods even at high temperatures such as 37°C. Hence, this methodology is a safe and useful tool for recovering SARS-CoV-2 and African Swine Fever virus RNA/DNA from different surfaces and skins, which has significant applied relevance in the surveillance of both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Barroso-Arévalo
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Center, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Díaz-Frutos
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Center, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aleksandra Kosowska
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Center, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Pérez-Sancho
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Center, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucas Domínguez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Center, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Center, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Olesen AS, Lazov CM, Lecocq A, Accensi F, Jensen AB, Lohse L, Rasmussen TB, Belsham GJ, Bøtner A. Uptake and Survival of African Swine Fever Virus in Mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor) and Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetia illucens) Larvae. Pathogens 2022; 12:pathogens12010047. [PMID: 36678395 PMCID: PMC9864530 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect production offers a sustainable source of nutrients for livestock. This comes with a risk for transmission of pathogens from the insects into the livestock sector, including viruses causing serious diseases, such as African swine fever virus (ASFV), classical swine fever virus and foot-and-mouth disease virus. ASFV is known to survive for a long time within animal meat and byproducts. Therefore, we conducted experimental exposure studies of insects to ASFV using larvae of two key insect species produced for food and feed, the mealworm; Tenebrio molitor, and the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens. The larvae were exposed to ASFV POL/2015/Podlaskie, via oral uptake of serum or spleen material from ASFV-infected pigs. Using qPCR, the amounts of viral DNA present immediately after exposure varied from ~104.7 to 107.2 genome copies per insect. ASFV DNA was detectable in the larvae of H. illucens for up to 3 days post exposure and in T. molitor larvae for up to 9 days post exposure. To assess the presence of infectious virus within the larvae and with this, the risk of virus transmission via oral consumption, pigs were fed cakes containing larvae exposed to ASFV. Pigs that consumed 50 T. molitor or 50 H. illucens virus-exposed larvae did not become infected with ASFV. Thus, it appears, that in our experimental setting, the risk of ASFV transmission via consumption of unprocessed insect larvae, used as feed, is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Sofie Olesen
- Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence:
| | - Christina Marie Lazov
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Antoine Lecocq
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Francesc Accensi
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Sanitat i d’Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Annette Bruun Jensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Louise Lohse
- Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Bruun Rasmussen
- Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Graham J. Belsham
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Anette Bøtner
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
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10
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Liu H, Meng F, Nyaruaba R, He P, Hong W, Jiang M, Liu D, Zhou W, Bai D, Yu J, Wei H. A triton X-100 assisted PMAxx-qPCR assay for rapid assessment of infectious African swine fever virus. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1062544. [PMID: 36545208 PMCID: PMC9760672 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1062544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly infectious disease of pigs, caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). The lack of vaccines and drugs makes strict disinfection practices to be one of the main measurements to curb the transmission of ASF. Therefore, it is important to assess if all viruses are inactivated after disinfection or after long time exposure in their natural conditions. Currently, the infectivity of ASFV is determined by virus isolation and culture in a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory. However, BSL-3 laboratories are not readily available, need skilled expertise and may be time consuming. Methods In this study, a Triton X-100 assisted PMAxx-qPCR method was developed for rapid assessment of infectious ASFV in samples. PMAxx, an improved version of propidium monoazide (PMA), can covalently cross-link with naked ASFV-DNA or DNA inside inactivated ASFV virions under assistance of 0.1% (v/v) TritonX-100, but not with ASFV-DNA inside live virions. Formation of PMAxx-DNA conjugates prevents PCR amplification, leaving only infectious virions to be detected. Under optimum conditions, the limit of detection of the PMAxx-qPCR assay was 2.32log10HAD50/mL of infectious ASFV. Testing different samples showed that the PMAxx-qPCR assay was effective to evaluate intact ASFV virions after treatment by heat or chemical disinfectants and in simulated samples such as swine tissue homogenate, swine saliva swabs, and environmental swabs. However, whole-blood and saliva need to be diluted before testing because they may inhibit the PCR reaction or the cross-linking of PMAxx with DNA. Conclusion The Triton X-100 assisted PMAxx-qPCR assay took less than 3 h from sample to result, offering an easier and faster way for assessing infectious ASFV in samples from places like pig farms and pork markets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Meng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,African Swine Fever Regional Laboratory of China (Wuhan), Wuhan, China
| | - Raphael Nyaruaba
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ping He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Hong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengwei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,African Swine Fever Regional Laboratory of China (Wuhan), Wuhan, China
| | - Dongqing Liu
- Comprehensive Agricultural Law Enforcement Bureau, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenhao Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Bai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junping Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,African Swine Fever Regional Laboratory of China (Wuhan), Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Junping Yu,
| | - Hongping Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,African Swine Fever Regional Laboratory of China (Wuhan), Wuhan, China,Hongping Wei,
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11
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Main AR, Halasa T, Olesen AS, Lohse L, Rasmussen TB, Belsham GJ, Boklund A, Bøtner A, Christiansen LE. Estimating transmission dynamics of African swine fever virus from experimental studies. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3858-3867. [PMID: 36346271 PMCID: PMC10098825 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever virus (ASFV) continues to spread across the world, and currently, there are no treatments or vaccines available to combat this virus. Reliable estimates of transmission parameters for ASFV are therefore needed to establish effective contingency plans. This study used data from controlled ASFV inoculations of pigs to assess the transmission parameters. Three models were developed with (binary, piecewise-linear and exponential) time-dependent levels of infectiousness based on latency periods of 3-5 days derived from the analysis of 294 ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-stabilized blood samples originating from 16 pigs with direct and 10 pigs with indirect contact to 8 inoculated pigs. The models were evaluated for three different discrete latency periods of infection. The likelihood ratio test showed that a binary model had an equally good fit for a latency period of 4 or 5 days as the piecewise-linear and exponential model. However, for a latency period of 3 days, the piecewise-linear and exponential models had the best fit. The modelling was done in discrete time as testing was conducted on specific days. The main contribution of this study is the estimation of ASFV genotype II transmission through the air in a confined space. The estimated transmission parameters via air are not much lower than for direct contact between pigs. The estimated parameters should be useful for future simulations of control measures against ASFV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Ronald Main
- Dynamical, Systems, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.,Operations Research Section, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tariq Halasa
- Section of Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ann Sofie Olesen
- Section of Veterinary Virology, Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise Lohse
- Section of Veterinary Virology, Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Bruun Rasmussen
- Section of Veterinary Virology, Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Graham J Belsham
- Section of Veterinary Clinical Microbiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anette Boklund
- Section of Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anette Bøtner
- Section of Veterinary Clinical Microbiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse Engbo Christiansen
- Dynamical, Systems, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.,Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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12
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Influence of African Swine Fever Virus on Host Gene Transcription within Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Infected Pigs. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102147. [PMID: 36298701 PMCID: PMC9610944 DOI: 10.3390/v14102147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
African swine fever virus (ASFV) has become a global threat to the pig production industry and has caused enormous economic losses in many countries in recent years. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from pigs infected with ASFV not only express ASFV genes (almost 200 in number) but have altered patterns of host gene expression as well. Both up- and down-regulation of host cell gene expression can be followed using RNAseq on poly(A)+ mRNAs harvested from the PBMCs of pigs collected at different times post-infection. Consistent with the time course of changes in viral gene expression, only few and limited changes in host gene expression were detected at 3 days post-infection (dpi), but by 6 dpi, marked changes in the expression of over 1300 host genes were apparent. This was co-incident with the major increase in viral gene expression. The majority of the changes in host gene expression were up-regulation, but many down-regulated genes were also identified. The patterns of changes in gene expression within the PBMCs detected by RNAseq were similar in each of the four infected pigs. Furthermore, changes in the expression of about twenty selected host genes, known to be important in host defence and inflammatory responses, were confirmed using high-throughput microfluidic qPCR assays.
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13
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Kameyama KI, Kitamura T, Okadera K, Ikezawa M, Masujin K, Kokuho T. Usability of Immortalized Porcine Kidney Macrophage Cultures for the Isolation of ASFV without Affecting Virulence. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081794. [PMID: 36016416 PMCID: PMC9414656 DOI: 10.3390/v14081794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immortalized porcine kidney macrophage (IPKM) cells are highly susceptible to major African swine fever virus (ASFV) isolates. To clarify the compatibility of this cell line for ASFV isolation from biomaterials, animal experiments and in vitro isolation were performed. Pork products seized at international airports were subjected to virus inoculation in pigs (in vivo) and IPKM cell cultures (in vitro) to examine the viability and virulence of the contaminating viruses. Moreover, the viruses isolated using IPKM cells were inoculated into pigs to assess the virulence shift from the original materials. All pigs that were inoculated with either homogenate samples of seized pork product or IPKM-isolated ASFVs developed typical symptoms of ASF and died (or were euthanized) within the term of the animal experiments. The success rate of virus isolation in IPKM cells was comparable to that observed in porcine primary alveolar macrophage (PAM) cells. The IPKM cell line would be an ideal tool for the isolation and propagation of live ASFVs with high efficiency and enhanced usability, such as immortal, proliferative, and adhesive properties. The isolated viruses retained biologically similar characteristics to those of the original ones during isolation in vitro.
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14
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Duc HM, Ngan PH, Son HM, Lan NT, Van Hung L, Ha CTT, Hoa NT, Lam TQ, Van Thang N, Flory GA, Hutchinson M. The use of composting for the disposal of African swine fever virus infected swine carcasses. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3036-e3044. [PMID: 35830975 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) has been considered as one of the most important and devastating swine diseases with high mortality rates. Since effective vaccines and treatment are not available, mass euthanasia of infected and exposed pigs has been known to be the best measure to control ASF. Although composting has been proved to be a safe method for the rapid disposal of animal carcasses during outbreaks, there is no information about the effect of composting on the viability of ASF virus in swine carcasses. This study investigates the survival of the ASF virus in swine carcasses during composting. The findings suggested that the DNA of the ASF virus was detected in all samples tested. On the contrary, infectious ASF virus particles were rapidly destroyed at day 3. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Minh Duc
- Head, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Pham Hong Ngan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Minh Son
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi Lan
- Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Le Van Hung
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Cam Thi Thu Ha
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi Hoa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Truong Quang Lam
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Van Thang
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National Univeristy of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Gary A Flory
- President, Director of Operations, G.A. Flory Consulting, Mt. Crawford, Virginia, USA
| | - Mark Hutchinson
- Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Orono, Maine, USA
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15
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Experimental Infections of Pigs with African Swine Fever Virus (Genotype II); Studies in Young Animals and Pregnant Sows. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071387. [PMID: 35891368 PMCID: PMC9318005 DOI: 10.3390/v14071387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
African swine fever is an important viral disease of wild and domestic pigs. To gain further knowledge of the properties of the currently circulating African swine fever virus (ASFV), experimental infections of young pigs (approximately 8 weeks of age) and pregnant sows (infected at about 100 days of gestation) with the genotype II ASFV Georgia/2007 were performed. The inoculated young pigs developed typical clinical signs of the disease and the infection was transmitted (usually within 3–4 days) to all of the “in contact” animals that shared the same pen. Furthermore, typical pathogical lesions for ASFV infection were found at necropsy. Inoculation of pregnant sows with the same virus also produced rapid onset of disease from post-infection day three; two of the three sows died suddenly on post-infection day five, while the third was euthanized on the same day for animal welfare reasons. Following necropsy, the presence of ASFV DNA was detected in tonsils, spleen and lymph nodes of some of the fetuses, but the levels of viral DNA were much lower than in these tissues from the sows. Thus, only limited transplacental transmission occurred during the course of this experiment. These studies contribute towards further understanding about the spread of this important viral disease in domestic pigs.
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16
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Ungur A, Cazan CD, Panait LC, Coroian M, Cătoi C. What Is the Real Influence of Climatic and Environmental Factors in the Outbreaks of African Swine Fever? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060781. [PMID: 35327178 PMCID: PMC8944784 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary African Swine fever is present on the African, European and Asian continents, causing devastating economic impact due to the mandatory mass depopulation in confirmed outbreaks. Using the data reported by the Romanian National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, we created a database with all the localities from Romania where the outbreaks were confirmed between 2020 and 2021 as well as the geoclimatic features of those areas. The database was then used to statistically analyze the frequency of confirmed outbreaks in relation with specific climatic and environmental factors. Our results show that such studies need to be continued in order to have a better understanding of the geoclimatic risk factors in the transmission of African swine fever virus. Abstract African swine fever has a significant economic, social and environmental impact due to official regulation of the disease, namely the mass depopulation of all pigs in confirmed outbreaks. The main objective of the present study was to statistically analyze the possible correlation between the number of outbreaks and infected pigs from backyard farms with the altitude, seasonal average annual humidity, and average temperature during spring, summer, autumn and winter, as well as the distance from forests, rivers, and lakes in Romania. The study included all infected backyard pigs with African swine fever virus (n = 7764) and outbreaks (n = 404) that occurred in Romania between 6 February 2020 and 2 March 2021. The number of infected pigs and ASF outbreaks were significantly higher in localities at altitudes between 100 and 500 m, average annual humidity between 60% and 80%, average spring temperature between 10 and 14 °C, average summer temperature between 16 and 22 °C, average autumn temperature between 10 and 13 °C, average winter temperatures between −1 and 2 °C, and at distances of less than 5 km from the forests, less than 15 km from lakes and less than 5 km from the rivers. The number of affected pigs decreased significantly at summer temperatures below 16 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Ungur
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-745913324
| | - Cristina Daniela Cazan
- Molecular Biology and Veterinary Parasitology Unit (CDS-9), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.-C.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Luciana-Cătălina Panait
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.-C.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Mircea Coroian
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.-C.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Cornel Cătoi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Technological Transfer Centre for Animal Nutrition and Comparative Pathology ‘COMPAC’, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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17
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Malakauskas A, Schulz K, Kukanauskaitė I, Masiulis M, Conraths FJ, Sauter-Louis C. African Swine Fever Outbreaks in Lithuanian Domestic Pigs in 2019. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:115. [PMID: 35011221 PMCID: PMC8749716 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While numerous risk factors of African swine fever (ASF) transmission to domestic pigs have been described, ASF virus introduction has often not been traced back to one single defined cause. The large number of ASF outbreaks that occurred in domestic pigs in Lithuania from 2014 through to 2018 raised the question regarding whether outbreak-specific risk factors and transmission routes could be identified. Therefore, a prospective matched case-control study was designed. Data from 18 outbreaks that occurred in Lithuanian in 2019 and 36 control farms were analyzed. Conditional multivariable logistic regression showed that two or more visits by veterinary inspection of a farm had a significant preventive effect on the occurrence of ASF on a farm (Odds ratio (OR) 14.21, confidence interval (CI) 1.09-185.60 for farms not inspected vs. farms inspected twice or more a year), while certain practices (e.g., mushroom picking, sharing equipment, etc.), which might facilitate the indirect introduction of ASF from fields and forests into piggeries, significantly increased the odds of an outbreak (OR 5.18, CI 1.10-24.44). The results of the study highlight the importance of veterinary inspections for increasing the biosecurity level on pig farms and the awareness of ASF. The knowledge on potential protective and risk factors may help to improve the prevention and control of ASF outbreaks in domestic pig farms in Lithuania and other affected countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvydas Malakauskas
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, LT44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
- State Food and Veterinary Service, Siesiku 19, LT07170 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Katja Schulz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (K.S.); (F.J.C.); (C.S.-L.)
| | - Indrė Kukanauskaitė
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, LT44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
- State Food and Veterinary Service, Siesiku 19, LT07170 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Marius Masiulis
- State Food and Veterinary Service, Siesiku 19, LT07170 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiūkščio 10, LT08409 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Franz Josef Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (K.S.); (F.J.C.); (C.S.-L.)
| | - Carola Sauter-Louis
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (K.S.); (F.J.C.); (C.S.-L.)
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18
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Identification of African Swine Fever Virus Transcription within Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Acutely Infected Pigs. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112333. [PMID: 34835139 PMCID: PMC8623482 DOI: 10.3390/v13112333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
African swine fever virus (ASFV) has become widespread in Europe, Asia and elsewhere, thereby causing extensive economic losses. The viral genome includes nearly 200 genes, but their expression within infected pigs has not been well characterized previously. In this study, four pigs were infected with a genotype II strain (ASFV POL/2015/Podlaskie); blood samples were collected before inoculation and at both 3 and 6 days later. During this period, a range of clinical signs of infection became apparent in the pigs. From the blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated. The transcription of the ASFV genes was determined using RNAseq on poly(A)+ mRNAs isolated from these cells. Only very low levels of virus transcription were detected in the PBMCs at 3 days post-inoculation (dpi) but, at 6 dpi, extensive transcription was apparent. This was co-incident with a large increase in the level of ASFV DNA within these cells. The pattern of the virus gene expression was very reproducible between the individual pigs. Many highly expressed genes have undefined roles. Surprisingly, some genes with key roles in virus replication were expressed at only low levels. As the functions of individual genes are identified, information about their expression becomes important for understanding their contribution to virus biology.
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19
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Gebhardt JT, Dritz SS, Elijah CG, Jones CK, Paulk CB, Woodworth JC. Sampling and detection of African swine fever virus within a feed manufacturing and swine production system. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:103-114. [PMID: 34554652 PMCID: PMC9292833 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Transmission of biological hazards capable of causing disease in livestock can occur through a wide variety of direct and indirect routes. In swine production, there are a large number of possible routes of exposure of a pathogen into a susceptible population. African swine fever virus (ASFV) has been a significant challenge for Southeast Asia since first detected in China in 2018 and has spread through many countries within the region. In order to understand potential transmission pathways within an ASFV endemic region, a diagnostic investigation was performed to determine the level of contamination on a wide variety of surface types within a live animal production, feed manufacturing, and feed distribution system located in Vietnam. All diagnostic testing was performed locally by the production system's internal diagnostic laboratory using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (rt‐PCR) analysis. Early in the diagnostic investigation, it became clear that feed trucks were a common site of ASFV surface contamination detection. This information resulted in biosecurity‐focused actions for feed trucks arriving back at the feed mill, including decontamination of interior truck cab surfaces and washing of exterior truck surfaces with high‐pressure water prior to application of surface disinfectants. Additionally, a low number of rt‐PCR positive samples were detected within the feed production system, with the greatest number coming from transient surfaces such as high traffic areas and worker clothing. This illustrates the importance of managing employee traffic through procedures such as zoning and separation between clean–dirty areas to reduce the likelihood of pathogen transmission. In conclusion, this report illustrates the importance of routine data capture regarding efficacy of biosecurity procedures which allows for real‐time updates and improvement as biosecurity gaps are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan T Gebhardt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | | | - C Grace Elijah
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Cassandra K Jones
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Chad B Paulk
- Department of Grain Science and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Jason C Woodworth
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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20
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Sauter-Louis C, Conraths FJ, Probst C, Blohm U, Schulz K, Sehl J, Fischer M, Forth JH, Zani L, Depner K, Mettenleiter TC, Beer M, Blome S. African Swine Fever in Wild Boar in Europe-A Review. Viruses 2021; 13:1717. [PMID: 34578300 PMCID: PMC8472013 DOI: 10.3390/v13091717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of genotype II African swine fever (ASF) virus, presumably from Africa into Georgia in 2007, and its continuous spread through Europe and Asia as a panzootic disease of suids, continues to have a huge socio-economic impact. ASF is characterized by hemorrhagic fever leading to a high case/fatality ratio in pigs. In Europe, wild boar are especially affected. This review summarizes the currently available knowledge on ASF in wild boar in Europe. The current ASF panzootic is characterized by self-sustaining cycles of infection in the wild boar population. Spill-over and spill-back events occur from wild boar to domestic pigs and vice versa. The social structure of wild boar populations and the spatial behavior of the animals, a variety of ASF virus (ASFV) transmission mechanisms and persistence in the environment complicate the modeling of the disease. Control measures focus on the detection and removal of wild boar carcasses, in which ASFV can remain infectious for months. Further measures include the reduction in wild boar density and the limitation of wild boar movements through fences. Using these measures, the Czech Republic and Belgium succeeded in eliminating ASF in their territories, while the disease spread in others. So far, no vaccine is available to protect wild boar or domestic pigs reliably against ASF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Sauter-Louis
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.J.C.); (C.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Franz J. Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.J.C.); (C.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Carolina Probst
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.J.C.); (C.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Ulrike Blohm
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Immunology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Katja Schulz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.J.C.); (C.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Julia Sehl
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Melina Fischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (M.F.); (J.H.F.); (M.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Jan Hendrik Forth
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (M.F.); (J.H.F.); (M.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Laura Zani
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (L.Z.); (K.D.)
| | - Klaus Depner
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (L.Z.); (K.D.)
| | - Thomas C. Mettenleiter
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (M.F.); (J.H.F.); (M.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Sandra Blome
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (M.F.); (J.H.F.); (M.B.); (S.B.)
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21
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Lee KL, Choi Y, Yoo J, Hwang J, Jeong HG, Jheong WH, Kim SH. Identification of African swine fever virus genomic DNAs in wild boar habitats within outbreak regions in South Korea. J Vet Sci 2021; 22:e28. [PMID: 33774943 PMCID: PMC8007440 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
An African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in wild boars was first reported on October 2, 2019, in South Korea. Since then, additional cases were reported in South Korea's border areas. We here report the identification of ASF virus (ASFV) DNAs from two out of eight environmental abiotic matter samples collected from areas where ASF-positive wild boar carcasses were found. Comparative genomic investigations suggested that the contaminating ASFV DNAs originated from the wild boar whose carcass had been found near the positive sample sites. This is the first report on the identification of ASF viral material in wild boar habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Lak Lee
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea
| | - Yongjun Choi
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea
| | - Jongchan Yoo
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea
| | - Jusun Hwang
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea
| | - Hyun Gi Jeong
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea
| | - Weon Hwa Jheong
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea
| | - Seon Hee Kim
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea.
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22
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Gallardo C, Soler A, Nurmoja I, Cano-Gómez C, Cvetkova S, Frant M, Woźniakowski G, Simón A, Pérez C, Nieto R, Arias M. Dynamics of African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection in domestic pigs infected with virulent, moderate virulent and attenuated genotype II ASFV European isolates. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:2826-2841. [PMID: 34273247 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the infection dynamics of three genotype II African swine fever viruses (ASFV) circulating in Europe. Eighteen domestic pigs divided into three groups were infected intramuscularly or by direct contact with two haemadsorbent ASFVs (HAD) from Poland (Pol16/DP/ OUT21) and Estonia (Est16/WB/Viru8), and with the Latvian non-HAD ASFV (Lv17/WB/Rie1). Parameters, such as symptoms, pathogenicity, and distribution of the virus in tissues, humoral immune response, and dissemination of the virus by blood, oropharyngeal and rectal routes, were investigated. The Polish ASFV caused a case of rapidly developing fatal acute disease, while the Estonian ASFV caused acute to sub-acute infections and two animals survived. In contrast, animals infected with the ASFV from Latvia developed a more subtle, mild, or even subclinical disease. Oral excretion was sporadic or even absent in the attenuated group, whereas in animals that developed an acute or sub-acute form of ASF, oral excretion began at the same time the ASFV was detected in the blood, or even 3 days earlier, and persisted up to 22 days. Regardless of virulence, blood was the main route of transmission of ASFV and infectious virus was isolated from persistently infected animals for at least 19 days in the attenuated group and up to 44 days in the group of moderate virulence. Rectal excretion was limited to the acute phase of infection. In terms of diagnostics, the ASFV genome was detected in contact pigs from oropharyngeal samples earlier than in blood, independently of virulence. Together with blood, both samples could allow to detect ASFV infection for a longer period. The results presented here provide quantitative data on the spread and excretion of ASFV strains of different virulence among domestic pigs that can help to better focus surveillance activities and, thus, increase the ability to detect ASF introductions earlier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmina Gallardo
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA, INIA-CSIC, European Union Reference Laboratory for African Swine Fever (EURL), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Soler
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA, INIA-CSIC, European Union Reference Laboratory for African Swine Fever (EURL), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Imbi Nurmoja
- Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Estonian ASF-National reference laboratory (NRL), Kreutzwaldi, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Cristina Cano-Gómez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA, INIA-CSIC, European Union Reference Laboratory for African Swine Fever (EURL), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Svetlana Cvetkova
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Pathology Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Enviroment, BIOR, Latvian ASF-National reference laboratory, Lejupes, Riga, Latvia
| | - Maciej Frant
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Poland ASF-National reference laboratory, Partyzantow, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Woźniakowski
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Poland ASF-National reference laboratory, Partyzantow, Pulawy, Poland.,Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska, Toruń, Poland
| | - Alicia Simón
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA, INIA-CSIC, European Union Reference Laboratory for African Swine Fever (EURL), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Covadonga Pérez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA, INIA-CSIC, European Union Reference Laboratory for African Swine Fever (EURL), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Nieto
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA, INIA-CSIC, European Union Reference Laboratory for African Swine Fever (EURL), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marisa Arias
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA, INIA-CSIC, European Union Reference Laboratory for African Swine Fever (EURL), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Abstract
Abstract
The first confirmed case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Serbia occurred in 2019. Since then, numerous outbreaks in domestic pigs and wild boars have been reported. Until April 2021, all the detected ASF cases were in backyard pigs. Beside backyard and smallholders farming systems as a dominant pig production system in Serbia, large commercial pig farms can also be found, located mostly in villages. In the beginning of April 2021, a large commercial farrow-to-finish pig farm in Serbia with almost 19,000 animals was affected with the ASF virus. The pig farm analysed in this paper is located in an area where ASF was confirmed earlier in both backyard and wild boars. In this study, we describe the overall epidemiological course of the ASF outbreak. Epidemiological investigation using a hypothesis-based approach was conducted in order to reconstruct the disease course until the official notification. All the available data from the farm were analysed with the aim to determine the high-risk period (HRP). Some of the key points to consider when it comes to the sources of infection and entry route of ASF are the following: contamination of the area in the immediate vicinity of the farm, risky human activities, irregularities and some omissions in the external farm biosecurity and immediate proximity of the city waste-yard where the communal waste is disposed of. It was concluded that when commercial pig farms are surrounded by villages with a large number of backyards, hence the anthropogenic factor is the key risk factor for ASF spreading.
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24
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Neumann EJ, Hall WF, Dahl J, Hamilton D, Kurian A. Is transportation a risk factor for African swine fever transmission in Australia: a review. Aust Vet J 2021; 99:459-468. [PMID: 34235721 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease of the pigs that was first described in Africa during the early part of the twentieth century. The disease has periodically occurred outside of Africa, including an ongoing epidemic in Europe and Asia that started in 2007; the disease has never occurred in Australia or New Zealand. Once introduced into a country, spread can occur through direct and indirect routes of transmission. Infected feral pig populations have the potential to act as a long-term reservoir for the virus, making eradication difficult. Just before and throughout the period of clinical signs, ASF virus is shed in oronasal fluids, urine, faeces and blood. This results in contamination of the pig's environment, including flooring, equipment and vehicles. Transportation-related risk factors therefore are likely to play an important role in ASF spread, though evidence thus far has been largely anecdotal. In addition to the existing AUSVETPLAN ASF plan, efforts should be made to improve transportation biosecurity, from the time a pig leaves the farm to its destination. Collection of data that could quantify the capabilities and capacity of Australia to clean and disinfect livestock trucks would help to determine if private and/or public sector investment should be made in this area of biosecurity. No peer-reviewed research was identified that described a specific process for cleaning and disinfecting a livestock truck known to be contaminated with ASF virus, though literature suggests that transportation is an important route of transmission for moving the virus between farms and countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Neumann
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Tennent Drive, Palmerston North, 4474, New Zealand
| | - W F Hall
- William Hall and Associates, 114 Swan Drive, Googong, New South Wales, 2620, Australia
| | - J Dahl
- Danish Agriculture and Food Council, Axelborg, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - D Hamilton
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, South Australia, 5064, Australia
| | - A Kurian
- Epi-Insight Limited, 17 Main South Road, East Taieri, 9024, New Zealand
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25
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Depner K, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Schmidt C, Herskin M, Michel V, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Sihvonen LH, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Winckler C, Blome S, Boklund A, Bøtner A, Dhollander S, Rapagnà C, Van der Stede Y, Miranda Chueca MA. Research priorities to fill knowledge gaps in the control of African swine fever: possible transmission of African swine fever virus by vectors. EFSA J 2021; 19:e06676. [PMID: 34188718 PMCID: PMC8215588 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The European Commission requested that EFSA provide study designs for the investigation of four research domains according to major gaps in knowledge identified by EFSA in a report published in 2019: (i) the patterns of seasonality of African Swine Fever (ASF) in wild boar and domestic pigs in the EU; (ii) the epidemiology of ASF in wild boar; (iii) survival of ASF virus (ASFV) in the environment and (iv) transmission of ASFV by vectors. In this Scientific Opinion, the fourth research domain on ASFV transmission by vectors is addressed. Eleven research objectives were proposed by the EFSA working group and broader ASF expert networks, such as ASF stop, ENETWILD, VectorNet, AHAW network and the AHAW Panel Experts. Of the 11 research objectives, six were prioritised based on the following set of criteria: (1) the impact on ASF management; (2) the feasibility or practicality to carry out the study; (3) the potential implementation of study results in practice; (4) a possible short time-frame study (< 1 year); (5) the novelty of the study and (6) if it was a priority for risk managers. The prioritised research objectives were: (I) Studies on the potential vector fauna at the pig-wild boar interface and the feeding preference of blood-feeding potential vectors in ASF-affected areas; (II) Assessment of the efficacy of insect screens on indoor/outdoor pig holdings to prevent the entry of blood-sucking vectors (i.e. Stomoxys) in ASF endemic areas; (III) Assess the role of mechanical vectors in the virus transmission in ASF-affected areas; (IV) Distribution of the potential mechanical transmission vectors in ASF-affected areas of the EU; (V) ASFV transmission by synanthropic birds; and (VI) Assessment on the presence/absence of the soft tick Ornithodoros erraticus in ASF-affected areas in Europe. For each of the selected research objectives, a research protocol has been proposed considering the potential impact on ASF management and the period of 1 year for the research activities.
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26
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Lee HS, Bui VN, Dao DT, Bui NA, Le TD, Kieu MA, Nguyen QH, Tran LH, Roh JH, So KM, Hur TY, Oh SI. Pathogenicity of an African swine fever virus strain isolated in Vietnam and alternative diagnostic specimens for early detection of viral infection. Porcine Health Manag 2021; 7:36. [PMID: 33934707 PMCID: PMC8091783 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-021-00215-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background African swine fever (ASF), caused by the ASF virus (ASFV), was first reported in Vietnam in 2019 and spread rapidly thereafter. Better insights into ASFV characteristics and early detection by surveillance could help control its spread. However, the pathogenicity and methods for early detection of ASFV isolates from Vietnam have not been established. Therefore, we investigated the pathogenicity of ASFV and explored alternative sampling methods for early detection. Results Ten pigs were intramuscularly inoculated with an ASFV strain from Vietnam (titer, 103.5 HAD50/mL), and their temperature, clinical signs, and virus excretion patterns were recorded. In addition, herd and environmental samples were collected daily. The pigs died 5–8 days-post-inoculation (dpi), and the incubation period was 3.7 ± 0.5 dpi. ASFV genome was first detected in the blood (2.2 ± 0.8) and then in rectal (3.1 ± 0.7), nasal (3.2 ± 0.4), and oral (3.6 ± 0.7 dpi) swab samples. ASFV was detected in oral fluid samples collected using a chewed rope from 3 dpi. The liver showed the highest viral loads, and ear tissue also exhibited high viral loads among 11 tissues obtained from dead pigs. Overall, ASFV from Vietnam was classified as peracute to acute form. The rope-based oral fluid collection method could be useful for early ASFV detection and allows successful ASF surveillance in large pig farms. Furthermore, ear tissue samples might be a simple alternative specimen for diagnosing ASF infection in dead pigs. Conclusions Our data provide valuable insights into the characteristics of a typical ASFV strain isolated in Vietnam and suggest an alternative, non-invasive specimen collection strategy for early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Suk Lee
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Vuong Nghia Bui
- Virology Department, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Duy Tung Dao
- Virology Department, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Anh Bui
- Virology Department, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Duy Le
- Virology Department, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Minh Anh Kieu
- Virology Department, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Quang Huy Nguyen
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Hanoi, Vietnam.,Virology Department, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Long Hoang Tran
- Virology Department, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jae-Hee Roh
- Division of Animal Disease & Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, 55365, Wanju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Min So
- Division of Animal Disease & Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, 55365, Wanju, Republic of Korea
| | - Tai-Young Hur
- Division of Animal Disease & Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, 55365, Wanju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Ik Oh
- Division of Animal Disease & Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, 55365, Wanju, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Arzumanyan H, Hakobyan S, Avagyan H, Izmailyan R, Nersisyan N, Karalyan Z. Possibility of long-term survival of African swine fever virus in natural conditions. Vet World 2021; 14:854-859. [PMID: 34083931 PMCID: PMC8167539 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.854-859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: In modern scientific literature presents an understanding that African swine fever (ASF) ASF virus (ASFV) is remarkably stable in the environment, and carcasses of the pigs which were died after ASF, play a key role as ASFV reservoir. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the ASFV (different isolates) survival in bodies of dead animals, bones, remnants of bone marrow, residual organ matrix in natural conditions. Materials and Methods: Skeletons of ASFV infected pigs which were died and left/abandoned in forests or buried in Armenia at diverse time points and locations had been excavated and examined for the presence of ASFV genome by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and for infection abilities through in vitro (hemadsorption test and infection in porcine lung macrophages) as well as by intramuscular infection in healthy pigs. Results: Current exploration showed that in several samples (with different times of exposure) of excavated skeletons had been detected the presence of the virus gene (p72) using real-time PCR. However, in none of these porcine samples, infectious ASFV could be isolated. Data obtained by real-time PCR at frequent intervals indicated the presence of the virus gene (p72), especially within the case of the acute form of the disease. This can be explained by the highest levels of the virus during the latter case mentioned above. Conclusion: ASFV seems to be very sensitive to environmental temperature. The best place for ASFV long-term survival in the natural environment is bone marrow from intact big tubular bones (like femur or tibia) of buried carcasses. In artificial “graves,” complete bones with not destructed bone marrow can preserve the virus gene (p72) for a very long time (more than 2 years). Infectious particles in underground conditions survive not so long: In complete bones with not affected bone marrow, possible presence of the virus for several months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hranush Arzumanyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Sona Hakobyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hranush Avagyan
- Experimental Laboratory, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Roza Izmailyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Narek Nersisyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Zaven Karalyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
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28
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Depner K, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Herskin M, Michel V, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Sihvonen LH, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Winckler C, Blome S, Boklund A, Bøtner A, Dhollander S, Van der Stede Y, Miranda Chueca MÁ. Research priorities to fill knowledge gaps on ASF seasonality that could improve the control of ASF. EFSA J 2021; 19:e06550. [PMID: 33897870 PMCID: PMC8054561 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The European Commission requested EFSA to provide study designs for the investigation of four research domains according to major gaps in knowledge identified by EFSA in a report published in 2019: i) the patterns of seasonality of ASF in wild boar and domestic pigs in the EU; ii) the ASF epidemiology in wild boar; iii) ASF virus (ASFV) survival in the environment and iv) ASF transmission by vectors. In this Scientific Opinion, the first research domain on ASF seasonality is addressed. Therefore, five research objectives were proposed by the working group and broader ASF expert networks, such as ASF stop, ENETWILD, VectorNet, AHAW network and the AHAW Panel Experts. Of the five research objectives, only two were prioritised and elaborated into a general protocol/study design research proposal, namely: 1) to monitor the herd incidence of ASF outbreaks in EU Member States (MS) and 2) to investigate potential (seasonal) risk factors for ASF incursion in domestic pig herds of different herd types and/or size. To monitor the incidence in different pig herd types, it is advised to collect, besides ASF surveillance data, pig population data describing at least the following parameters per farm from the first moment of incursion in an affected MS: the numbers of pigs (e.g. number of breeding pigs sows and boars, weaners and fatteners) and the location and the type of farm (including details on the level of biosecurity implemented on the farm and the outdoor/indoor production). We suggest collecting data from all ASF-affected MS through the SIGMA data model, which was developed for this purpose. To investigate potential risk factors for ASF incursion in domestic pig herds, we suggest a matched case-control design. Such a study design can be run either retrospectively or prospectively. The collected data on the pig herds and the ASF surveillance data in the SIGMA data model can be used to identify case and control farms.
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Mauroy A, Depoorter P, Saegerman C, Cay B, De Regge N, Filippitzi ME, Fischer C, Laitat M, Maes D, Morelle K, Nauwynck H, Simons X, van den Berg T, Van Huffel X, Thiry E, Dewulf J. Semi-quantitative risk assessment by expert elicitation of potential introduction routes of African swine fever from wild reservoir to domestic pig industry and subsequent spread during the Belgian outbreak (2018-2019). Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:2761-2773. [PMID: 33713549 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Since the introduction in Georgia in 2007 of an African swine fever (ASF) genotype 2 virus strain, the virus has rapidly spread to both Western European and Asian countries. It now constitutes a major threat for the global swine industry. The ongoing European transmission cycle has been related to the 'wild boar habitat' with closed transmission events between wild boar populations and incidental spillovers to commercial and non-commercial (backyard) pig holdings. During the epidemic in Belgium, only wild boar were infected and although the introduction route has not yet been elucidated, the 'human factor' is highly suspected. While ASF was successfully contained in a small region in the Southern part of Belgium without affecting domestic pigs, the risk of spillover at the wild/domestic interface remains poorly assessed. In this study, we used a semi-quantitative method, involving national and international experts, to assess the risk associated with different transmission routes for ASF introduction from wild boar to domestic pig holdings and subsequent dissemination between holdings in the Belgian epidemiological context. Qualitative responses obtained by our questionnaire were numerically transformed and statistically processed to provide a semi-quantitative assessment of the occurrence of the hazard and a ranking of all transmission routes. 'Farmer', 'bedding material', 'veterinarian' and 'professionals from the pig sector' were considered as the most important transmission routes for ASF introduction from the wild reservoir to pig holdings. 'Animal movements', 'farmer', 'veterinarian', 'iatrogenic', 'animal transport truck' and 'animal care equipment' were considered as the most important transmission routes posing a risk of ASF spread between pig holdings. Combined with specific biosecurity checks in the holdings, this assessment helps in prioritizing risk mitigation measures against ASF introduction and further spread in the domestic pig industry, particularly while the ASF situation in Western Europe is worsening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Mauroy
- Staff Direction for Risk Assessment, Directorate General Control Policy, Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Pieter Depoorter
- Staff Direction for Risk Assessment, Directorate General Control Policy, Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Claude Saegerman
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal Health (FARAH) Centre, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Brigitte Cay
- Service of Enzootic, Vector-Borne and Bee Diseases, Scientific Direction Infectious Diseases in Animals, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick De Regge
- Service of Enzootic, Vector-Borne and Bee Diseases, Scientific Direction Infectious Diseases in Animals, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maria-Eleni Filippitzi
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Claude Fischer
- Dept. Nature Management, University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Martine Laitat
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swine Clinic, Clinical Department of Production Animals, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Dominiek Maes
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Kevin Morelle
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
| | - Hans Nauwynck
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Xavier Simons
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Xavier Van Huffel
- Staff Direction for Risk Assessment, Directorate General Control Policy, Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Etienne Thiry
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Virology, FARAH Centre, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Dewulf
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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30
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Niederwerder MC. Risk and Mitigation of African Swine Fever Virus in Feed. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030792. [PMID: 33803495 PMCID: PMC7998236 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary African swine fever is the most significant disease threat to swine globally, and recent introductions into previously negative countries has heightened the risk for disease spread. Without an effective vaccine or treatment, the primary objective of negative countries is to prevent African swine fever virus infection in pigs. Significant quantities of feed ingredients used for swine diets are traded worldwide and may be imported from countries with African swine fever. If feed ingredients are contaminated with the virus, they can serve as potential routes for the introduction and transmission of African swine fever virus. This review provides information on the risk of African swine fever virus in feed and the mitigation strategies that may help protect the global swine population from introduction and spread through feed. Abstract Since the 2013 introduction of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus into the United States (U.S.), feed and feed ingredients have been recognized as potential routes for the introduction and transmission of foreign animal diseases of swine. Feed ingredients for swine diets are commodities traded worldwide, and the U.S. imports thousands of metric tons of feed ingredients each year from countries with circulating foreign animal diseases. African swine fever (ASF) is the most significant foreign animal disease threat to U.S. swine production, and the recent introduction of ASF into historically negative countries has heightened the risk for further spread. Laboratory investigations have characterized the stability of the ASF virus (ASFV) in feed ingredients subjected to transoceanic shipment conditions, ASFV transmissibility through the natural consumption of plant-based feed, and the mitigation potential of certain feed additives to inactivate ASFV in feed. This review describes the current knowledge of feed as a risk for swine viruses and the opportunities for mitigating the risk to protect U.S. pork production and the global swine population from ASF and other foreign animal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C Niederwerder
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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31
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Brookes VJ, Barrett TE, Ward MP, Roby JA, Hernandez-Jover M, Cross EM, Donnelly CM, Barnes TS, Wilson CS, Khalfan S. A scoping review of African swine fever virus spread between domestic and free-living pigs. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:2643-2656. [PMID: 33455062 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Since 2007, African swine fever virus (ASFV) has spread to countries in Europe, Asia and Oceania and has caused devastating impacts on pigs and the pork industry. Transmission can be direct or indirect, and epidemiologic scenarios have been described in which spread occurs between free-living and domestic pigs. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify primary research in which authors made statements to support ASFV transmission between free-living and domestic pigs and assess the circumstances in which transmission events occurred. A search was conducted in five bibliographic databases and the grey literature. Two reviewers (from a team of ten) independently screened each record and charted data (demographics of the pig populations, their husbandry [domestic pigs] and habitat [free-living pigs], the spatial and temporal distribution of ASF, the occurrence or burden of ASF in the populations, and whether ticks were present in the geographic range of the pig populations). Data synthesis included statistics and a narrative summary. From 1,349 records screened, data were charted from 46 individual studies published from 1985 to 2020. Outbreak investigations revealed that whilst poor biosecurity of domestic pig operations was often reported, direct contact resulting in transmission between free-living and domestic pigs was rarely reported. Studies in which quantitative associations were made generally found that spread within populations was more important than spread between populations, although this was not always the case, particularly when domestic pigs were free-ranging. We conclude that there is limited evidence that transmission of ASFV between free-living and domestic pigs is an important feature of ASF epidemiology, especially in the current ASF epidemic in Europe and the Russian Federation. If ASFV elimination cannot be achieved in free-living pigs, compartmentalization of domestic pig populations from free-living populations via biosecurity strategies could be used to support trade of domestic pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria J Brookes
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Tamille E Barrett
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin A Roby
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Marta Hernandez-Jover
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily M Cross
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Camilla M Donnelly
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Tamsin S Barnes
- The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, Qld, Australia.,The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Gatton, Qld, Australia
| | - Cara S Wilson
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Shahid Khalfan
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
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32
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Jia R, Zhang G, Liu H, Chen Y, Zhou J, Liu Y, Ding P, Wang Y, Zang W, Wang A. Novel Application of Nanofluidic Chip Digital PCR for Detection of African Swine Fever Virus. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:621840. [PMID: 33614757 PMCID: PMC7894257 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.621840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
African swine fever virus (ASFV) gives rise to a grievous transboundary and infectious disease, African swine fever (ASF), which has caused a great economic loss in the swine industry. To prevent and control ASF, once suspicious symptoms have presented, the movement of animal and pork products should be stopped, and then, laboratory testing should be adopted to diagnose ASF. A method for ASFV DNA quantification is presented in this research, which utilizes the next-generation PCR platform, nanofluidic chip digital PCR (cdPCR). The cdPCR detection showed good linearity and repeatability. The limit of detection for cdPCR is 30.1995 copies per reaction, whereas no non-specific amplification curve was found with other swine viruses. In the detection of 69 clinical samples, the cdPCR showed significant consistency [91.30% (63/69)] to the Office International des Epizooties-approved quantitative PCR. Compared with the commercial quantitative PCR kit, the sensitivity of the cdPCR assay was 86.27% (44/50), and the specificity was 94.44% (17/18). The positive coincidence rate of the cdPCR assay was 88% (44/50). The total coincidence rate of the cdPCR and kit was 89.86% (62/69), and the kappa value reached 0.800 (P < 0.0001). This is the first time that cdPCR has been applied to detecting ASFV successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gaiping Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongliang Liu
- Henan Zhongze Biological Engineering Co. LTD, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yumei Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Zhongze Biological Engineering Co. LTD, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingming Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yankai Liu
- Henan Zhongze Biological Engineering Co. LTD, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peiyang Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanwei Wang
- Henan Zhongze Biological Engineering Co. LTD, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weimin Zang
- Henan Zhongze Biological Engineering Co. LTD, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Aiping Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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33
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Jackman JA, Hakobyan A, Zakaryan H, Elrod CC. Inhibition of African swine fever virus in liquid and feed by medium-chain fatty acids and glycerol monolaurate. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2020; 11:114. [PMID: 33292608 PMCID: PMC7722453 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-020-00517-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ongoing African swine fever virus (ASFv) epidemic has had a major impact on pig production globally and biosecurity efforts to curb ASFv infectivity and transmission are a high priority. It has been recently identified that feed and feed ingredients, along with drinking water, can serve as transmission vehicles and might facilitate transboundary spread of ASFv. Thus, it is important to test the antiviral activity of regulatory compatible, antiviral feed additives that might inhibit ASFv infectivity in feed. One promising group of feed additive candidates includes medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and monoglyceride derivatives, which are known to disrupt the lipid membrane surrounding certain enveloped viruses and bacteria. RESULTS The antiviral activities of selected MCFA, namely caprylic, capric, and lauric acids, and a related monoglyceride, glycerol monolaurate (GML), to inhibit ASFv in liquid and feed conditions were investigated and suitable compounds and inclusion rates were identified that might be useful for mitigating ASFv in feed environments. Antiviral assays showed that all tested MCFA and GML inhibit ASFv. GML was more potent than MCFA because it worked at a lower concentration and inhibited ASFv due to direct virucidal activity along with one or more other antiviral mechanisms. Dose-dependent feed experiments further showed that sufficiently high GML doses can significantly reduce ASFv infectivity in feed in a linear manner in periods as short as 30 min, as determined by infectious viral titer measurements. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) experiments revealed that GML treatment also hinders antibody recognition of the membrane-associated ASFv p72 structural protein, which likely relates to protein conformational changes arising from viral membrane disruption. CONCLUSION Together, the findings in this study indicate that MCFA and GML inhibit ASFv in liquid conditions and that GML is also able to reduce ASFv infectivity in feed, which may help to curb disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Jackman
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Astghik Hakobyan
- Group of Antiviral Defense Mechanisms, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hovakim Zakaryan
- Group of Antiviral Defense Mechanisms, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Charles C Elrod
- Natural Biologics Inc., Newfield, NY, 14867, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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34
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Boklund A, Dhollander S, Chesnoiu Vasile T, Abrahantes JC, Bøtner A, Gogin A, Gonzalez Villeta LC, Gortázar C, More SJ, Papanikolaou A, Roberts H, Stegeman A, Ståhl K, Thulke HH, Viltrop A, Van der Stede Y, Mortensen S. Risk factors for African swine fever incursion in Romanian domestic farms during 2019. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10215. [PMID: 32576841 PMCID: PMC7311386 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66381-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) entered Georgia in 2007 and the EU in 2014. In the EU, the virus primarily spread in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the period from 2014-2018. However, from the summer 2018, numerous domestic pig farms in Romania were affected by ASF. In contrast to the existing knowledge on ASF transmission routes, the understanding of risk factors and the importance of different transmission routes is still limited. In the period from May to September 2019, 655 Romanian pig farms were included in a matched case-control study investigating possible risk factors for ASF incursion in commercial and backyard pig farms. The results showed that close proximity to outbreaks in domestic farms was a risk factor in commercial as well as backyard farms. Furthermore, in backyard farms, herd size, wild boar abundance around the farm, number of domestic outbreaks within 2 km around farms, short distance to wild boar cases and visits of professionals working on farms were statistically significant risk factors. Additionally, growing crops around the farm, which could potentially attract wild boar, and feeding forage from ASF affected areas to the pigs were risk factors for ASF incursion in backyard farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Boklund
- University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Section for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Grønnegårdsvej 8, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - S Dhollander
- European Food Safety Authority, Via Carlo Magno 1A, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - T Chesnoiu Vasile
- The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, Bucharest, Piata Free Press no. 1 Body D1, District 1, Post Code 013 701, Bucharest, Romania
| | - J C Abrahantes
- European Food Safety Authority, Via Carlo Magno 1A, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - A Bøtner
- University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Section for Veterinary Clinical Microbiology, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Statens Serum Institut, Department of Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Artillerivej 5, 2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - A Gogin
- Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, 601125, Volginsky, Russia
| | | | - C Gortázar
- SaBio research group at IREC (Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha & CSIC), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13003, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - S J More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04 W6F6, Ireland
| | - A Papanikolaou
- European Food Safety Authority, Via Carlo Magno 1A, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - H Roberts
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Exotic Disease Control team, Area 2D, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR, England
| | - A Stegeman
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yalelaan 7, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - K Ståhl
- National Veterinary Institute, 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - H H Thulke
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Department of Ecological Modelling, PG EcoEpi, Permoserstr. 15, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A Viltrop
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu, 51006, Estonia
| | - Y Van der Stede
- European Food Safety Authority, Via Carlo Magno 1A, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - S Mortensen
- Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Stationsparken 31-33, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
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