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Olesen AS, Lohse L, Johnston CM, Rasmussen TB, Bøtner A, Belsham GJ. Increased Presence of Circulating Cell-Free, Fragmented, Host DNA in Pigs Infected with Virulent African Swine Fever Virus. Viruses 2023; 15:2133. [PMID: 37896910 PMCID: PMC10612093 DOI: 10.3390/v15102133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes severe hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boar, often with high case fatality rates. The virus replicates in the circulating cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage and within lymphoid tissues. The infection leads to high fever and a variety of clinical signs. In this study, it was observed that ASFV infection in pigs resulted in a >1000-fold increase in the level of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), derived from the nuclei of host cells in the serum. This change occurred in parallel with the increase in circulating ASFV DNA. In addition, elevated levels (about 30-fold higher) of host mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were detected in the serum from ASFV-infected pigs. For comparison, the release of the cellular enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a commonly used marker of cellular damage, was also found to be elevated during ASFV infection, but later and less consistently. The sera from pigs infected with classical swine fever virus (CSFV), which causes a clinically similar disease to ASFV, were also tested but, surprisingly, this infection did not result in the release of cfDNA, mtDNA, or LDH. It was concluded that the level of cfDNA in the serum is a sensitive host marker of virulent ASFV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Sofie Olesen
- Section for Veterinary Virology, Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.L.); (C.M.J.); (T.B.R.)
| | - Louise Lohse
- Section for Veterinary Virology, Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.L.); (C.M.J.); (T.B.R.)
| | - Camille Melissa Johnston
- Section for Veterinary Virology, Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.L.); (C.M.J.); (T.B.R.)
| | - Thomas Bruun Rasmussen
- Section for Veterinary Virology, Department of Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.L.); (C.M.J.); (T.B.R.)
| | - Anette Bøtner
- Section for Veterinary Clinical Microbiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark;
| | - Graham J. Belsham
- Section for Veterinary Clinical Microbiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark;
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Walczak M, Wasiak M, Dudek K, Kycko A, Szacawa E, Olech M, Woźniakowski G, Szczotka-Bochniarz A. Blood Counts, Biochemical Parameters, Inflammatory, and Immune Responses in Pigs Infected Experimentally with the African Swine Fever Virus Isolate Pol18_28298_O111. Viruses 2021; 13:v13030521. [PMID: 33810057 PMCID: PMC8004642 DOI: 10.3390/v13030521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to indicate the influence of infection caused by genotype II African swine fever virus (ASFV)–isolate Pol18_28298_O111, currently circulating in Poland, on blood counts, biochemical parameters, as well as inflammatory and immune responses. Blood and sera collected from 21 domestic pigs infected intranasally with different doses of virulent ASFV were analysed. The infection led to variable changes in blood counts depending on the stage of the disease with a tendency towards leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. The elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and microscopic lesions in organs confirmed the development of the inflammation process, which also resulted in an increased level of biochemical markers such as: Aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), creatinine, and urea. Antibodies could be detected from 9 to 18 days post infection (dpi). Two survivors presented the highest titer of antibodies (>5 log10/mL) with a simultaneous increase in the lymphocyte T (CD3+) percentage–revealed by flow cytometry. Results confirmed a progressive inflammatory process occurring during the ASFV infection, which may lead to multiple organs failure and death of the majority of affected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Walczak
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (G.W.); (A.S.-B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Magdalena Wasiak
- Department of Anatomopathology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (M.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Katarzyna Dudek
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (K.D.); (E.S.)
| | - Anna Kycko
- Department of Anatomopathology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (M.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Ewelina Szacawa
- Department of Cattle and Sheep Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (K.D.); (E.S.)
| | - Małgorzata Olech
- Department and Clinic of Animal Internal Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Grzegorz Woźniakowski
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (G.W.); (A.S.-B.)
- Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1 Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Anna Szczotka-Bochniarz
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (G.W.); (A.S.-B.)
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Pikalo J, Zani L, Hühr J, Beer M, Blome S. Pathogenesis of African swine fever in domestic pigs and European wild boar - Lessons learned from recent animal trials. Virus Res 2019; 271:197614. [PMID: 30953662 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, African swine fever (ASF) has changed from an exotic disease of Sub-Saharan Africa to a considerable and serious threat to pig industry in Central Europe and Asia. With the introduction of genotype II strains into the European Union in 2014, the disease has apparently found a fertile breeding ground in the abundant wild boar population. Upon infection with highly virulent ASF virus (ASFV), a haemorrhagic fever like illness with high lethality is seen in naïve domestic pigs and wild boar. Despite intensive research, virulence factors, host-virus interactions and pathogenesis are still far from being understood, and neither vaccines nor treatment exist. However, to better understand the disease, and to work towards a safe and efficacious vaccine, this information is needed. The presented review targets the knowledge gained over the last five years with regard to ASF pathogenesis in the broader sense but with a focus on the pandemic genotype II strains. In this way, it is designed as an update and supplement to existing review articles on the same topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Pikalo
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17489 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Laura Zani
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17489 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Jane Hühr
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17489 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17489 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Sandra Blome
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17489 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
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Boklund A, Cay B, Depner K, Földi Z, Guberti V, Masiulis M, Miteva A, More S, Olsevskis E, Šatrán P, Spiridon M, Stahl K, Thulke HH, Viltrop A, Wozniakowski G, Broglia A, Cortinas Abrahantes J, Dhollander S, Gogin A, Verdonck F, Amato L, Papanikolaou A, Gortázar C. Epidemiological analyses of African swine fever in the European Union (November 2017 until November 2018). EFSA J 2018; 16:e05494. [PMID: 32625771 PMCID: PMC7009685 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This update on the African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in the EU demonstrated that out of all tested wild boar found dead, the proportion of positive samples peaked in winter and summer. For domestic pigs only, a summer peak was evident. Despite the existence of several plausible factors that could result in the observed seasonality, there is no evidence to prove causality. Wild boar density was the most influential risk factor for the occurrence of ASF in wild boar. In the vast majority of introductions in domestic pig holdings, direct contact with infected domestic pigs or wild boar was excluded as the route of introduction. The implementation of emergency measures in the wild boar management zones following a focal ASF introduction was evaluated. As a sole control strategy, intensive hunting around the buffer area might not always be sufficient to eradicate ASF. However, the probability of eradication success is increased after adding quick and safe carcass removal. A wider buffer area leads to a higher success probability; however it implies a larger intensive hunting area and the need for more animals to be hunted. If carcass removal and intensive hunting are effectively implemented, fencing is more useful for delineating zones, rather than adding substantially to control efficacy. However, segments of fencing will be particularly useful in those areas where carcass removal or intensive hunting is difficult to implement. It was not possible to demonstrate an effect of natural barriers on ASF spread. Human‐mediated translocation may override any effect of natural barriers. Recommendations for ASF control in four different epidemiological scenarios are presented. This publication is linked to the following EFSA Supporting Publications article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/sp.efsa.2018.EN-1521/full
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