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Balmoș OM, Ionică AM, Horvath C, Supeanu A, Moțiu M, Ancuceanu BC, Tamba P, Bărbuceanu F, Cotuțiu V, Coroian M, Dhollander S, Mihalca AD. African swine fever virus DNA is present in non-biting flies collected from outbreak farms in Romania. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:278. [PMID: 38943218 PMCID: PMC11212390 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06346-x] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and severe haemorrhagic disease of Suidae, with mortalities that approach 100 percent. Several studies suggested the potential implication of non-biting dipterans in the spread of ASFV in pig farms due to the identification of the ASFV DNA. However, to our knowledge, no study has evaluated the viral DNA load in non-biting dipterans collected in outbreak farms and no risk factors have been analysed. In this context, our study aimed to analyse the risk factors associated with the presence of non-biting dipterans collected from ASF outbreaks in relation to the presence and load of viral DNA. METHODS Backyard farms (BF), type A farms (TAF), and commercial farms (CF), were targeted for sampling in 2020. In 2021, no BF were sampled. Each farm was sampled only once. The identification of the collected flies to family, genus, or species level was performed based on morphological characteristics using specific keys and descriptions. Pools were made prior to DNA extraction. All extracted DNA was tested for the presence of the ASFV using a real-time PCR protocol. For this study, we considered every sample with a CT value of 40 as positive. The statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info 7 software (CDC, USA). RESULTS All collected non-biting flies belonged to five families: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Fanniidae, Drosophilidae, and Muscidae. Of the 361 pools, 201 were positive for the presence of ASFV DNA. The obtained CT values of the positive samples ranged from 21.54 to 39.63, with a median value of 33.59 and a mean value of 33.56. Significantly lower CT values (corresponding to higher viral DNA load) were obtained in Sarcophagidae, with a mean value of 32.56; a significantly higher number of positive pools were noticed in August, mean value = 33.12. CONCLUSIONS Our study brings compelling evidence of the presence of the most common synanthropic flies near domestic pig farms carrying ASFV DNA, highlighting the importance of strengthening the biosecurity measures and protocols for prevention of the insect life cycle and distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana Maria Balmoș
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, Strada Iuliu Moldovan 23, 400348, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cintia Horvath
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandru Supeanu
- National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, Piața Presei Libere 1, Corp D1, Sector 1, 013701, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Moțiu
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Strada Dr. Staicovici 63, Sector 5, 050557, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Beatris Corina Ancuceanu
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Strada Dr. Staicovici 63, Sector 5, 050557, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Paula Tamba
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Strada Dr. Staicovici 63, Sector 5, 050557, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Splaiul Independentei 105, Bucharest, 050097, Romania
| | - Florica Bărbuceanu
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Strada Dr. Staicovici 63, Sector 5, 050557, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Splaiul Independentei 105, Bucharest, 050097, Romania
| | - Vlad Cotuțiu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mircea Coroian
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Sofie Dhollander
- European Food Safety Authority, Via Carlo Magno 1A, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
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Manessis G, Frant M, Podgórska K, Gal-Cisoń A, Łyjak M, Urbaniak K, Woźniakowski G, Denes L, Balka G, Nannucci L, Griol A, Peransi S, Basdagianni Z, Mourouzis C, Giusti A, Bossis I. Label-Free Detection of African Swine Fever and Classical Swine Fever in the Point-of-Care Setting Using Photonic Integrated Circuits Integrated in a Microfluidic Device. Pathogens 2024; 13:415. [PMID: 38787267 PMCID: PMC11124021 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050415] [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: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Swine viral diseases have the capacity to cause significant losses and affect the sector's sustainability, a situation further exacerbated by the lack of antiviral drugs and the limited availability of effective vaccines. In this context, a novel point-of-care (POC) diagnostic device incorporating photonic integrated circuits (PICs), microfluidics and information, and communication technology into a single platform was developed for the field diagnosis of African swine fever (ASF) and classical swine fever (CSF). The device targets viral particles and has been validated using oral fluid and serum samples. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated to assess the performance of the device, and PCR was the reference method employed. Its sensitivities were 80.97% and 79%, specificities were 88.46% and 79.07%, and DOR values were 32.25 and 14.21 for ASF and CSF, respectively. The proposed POC device and PIC sensors can be employed for the pen-side detection of ASF and CSF, thus introducing novel technological advancements in the field of animal diagnostics. The need for proper validation studies of POC devices is highlighted to optimize animal biosecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Manessis
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.M.); (Z.B.)
| | - Maciej Frant
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.F.); (K.P.); (A.G.-C.); (M.Ł.); (K.U.)
| | - Katarzyna Podgórska
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.F.); (K.P.); (A.G.-C.); (M.Ł.); (K.U.)
| | - Anna Gal-Cisoń
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.F.); (K.P.); (A.G.-C.); (M.Ł.); (K.U.)
| | - Magdalena Łyjak
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.F.); (K.P.); (A.G.-C.); (M.Ł.); (K.U.)
| | - Kinga Urbaniak
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.F.); (K.P.); (A.G.-C.); (M.Ł.); (K.U.)
| | - Grzegorz Woźniakowski
- Department of Infectious, Invasive Diseases and Veterinary Administration, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolas Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
| | - Lilla Denes
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Istvan Str. 2, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (L.D.); (G.B.)
- National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine, István Str 2., 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyula Balka
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Istvan Str. 2, 1078 Budapest, Hungary; (L.D.); (G.B.)
- National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine, István Str 2., 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lapo Nannucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie Alimentari Ambientali e Forestali, Università Degli Studi di Firenze, Piazzale delle Cascine 18, 50144 Florence, Italy;
| | - Amadeu Griol
- Nanophotonics Technology Center, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n Building 8F, 46022 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Sergio Peransi
- DAS Photonics SL, Camino de Vera, s/n, Building 8F 2nd-Floor, 46022 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Zoitsa Basdagianni
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.M.); (Z.B.)
| | - Christos Mourouzis
- Cyprus Research and Innovation Centre Ltd. (CyRIC), 28th Octovriou Ave 72, Off. 301, Engomi, 2414 Nicosia, Cyprus; (C.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Alessandro Giusti
- Cyprus Research and Innovation Centre Ltd. (CyRIC), 28th Octovriou Ave 72, Off. 301, Engomi, 2414 Nicosia, Cyprus; (C.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Ioannis Bossis
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.M.); (Z.B.)
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Kruszyński M, Śróda K, Juszkiewicz M, Siuda D, Olszewska M, Woźniakowski G. Nine Years of African Swine Fever in Poland. Viruses 2023; 15:2325. [PMID: 38140566 PMCID: PMC10748056 DOI: 10.3390/v15122325] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and fatal haemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boars, causing significant economic loss to the swine industry in the European Union. The genotype II of African swine fever has spread in many European countries since the virus was detected in 2007 in Georgia. In Poland, the genotype II of the ASF virus was confirmed on 17 February 2014 in the eastern part of the country and appeared to have been transmitted to Poland from Belarus. Poland has been particularly affected by ASF epidemics in the last decade, resulting in a significant decline in the Polish pig population. Wild boars are the main reservoir of the African swine fever virus (ASFV), but human activities such as transportation and illegal animal trade are the primary reasons for the long-distance transmission of the disease. (2) Conclusions: During the nine years of ASF in Poland, multiple measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus among the wild boar population via the passive and active surveillance of these animals. With regard to pig farms, the only effective measure for preventing the spread of ASF is the efficient enforcement by state authorities of the biosecurity standards and the farmers' compliance with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Kruszyński
- County Veterinary Inspectorate, Stanisława Dubois 3, 46-100 Namyslow, Poland;
| | - Kacper Śróda
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Juszkiewicz
- Department of Swine Diseases, National veterinary Research Institute, Partyzanotw 57 Avenue, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland;
| | - Dominika Siuda
- Academia Copernicana Interdisciplinary Doctoral School, Bojarskiego 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
| | - Monika Olszewska
- Department of Infectious, Invasive Diseases and Veterinary Administration, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
| | - Grzegorz Woźniakowski
- Department of Infectious, Invasive Diseases and Veterinary Administration, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
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Juszkiewicz M, Walczak M, Woźniakowski G, Podgórska K. African Swine Fever: Transmission, Spread, and Control through Biosecurity and Disinfection, Including Polish Trends. Viruses 2023; 15:2275. [PMID: 38005951 PMCID: PMC10674562 DOI: 10.3390/v15112275] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
African swine fever is a contagious disease, affecting pigs and wild boars, which poses a major threat to the pig industry worldwide and, therefore, to the agricultural economies of many countries. Despite intensive studies, an effective vaccine against the disease has not yet been developed. Since 2007, ASFV has been circulating in Eastern and Central Europe, covering an increasingly large area. As of 2018, the disease is additionally spreading at an unprecedented scale in Southeast Asia, nearly ruining China's pig-producing sector and generating economic losses of approximately USD 111.2 billion in 2019. ASFV's high resistance to environmental conditions, together with the lack of an approved vaccine, plays a key role in the spread of the disease. Therefore, the biosecurity and disinfection of pig farms are the only effective tools through which to prevent ASFV from entering the farms. The selection of a disinfectant, with research-proven efficacy and proper use, taking into account environmental conditions, exposure time, pH range, and temperature, plays a crucial role in the disinfection process. Despite the significant importance of ASF epizootics, little information is available on the effectiveness of different disinfectants against ASFV. In this review, we have compiled the current knowledge on the transmission, spread, and control of ASF using the principles of biosecurity, with particular attention to disinfection, including a perspective based on Polish experience with ASF control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Juszkiewicz
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.W.); (K.P.)
| | - Marek Walczak
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.W.); (K.P.)
| | - Grzegorz Woźniakowski
- Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1 Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Podgórska
- Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (M.W.); (K.P.)
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African Swine Fever Virus Load in Hematophagous Dipterans Collected in an Outbreak from Romania: Risk Factors and Implications. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/3548109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease of swine that causes significant economic damage. The summer peaks and river courses have triggered the hypothesis that vectors may be involved in the transmission of the virus. In temperate climates, insect numbers increase in the late summer. Low temperatures and frosts decrease the number of active insects. Their presence is strongly associated with the nearby wetlands or swamps around the farms. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with the presence of ASFV DNA in hematophagous dipterans and to analyze the relevance of Ct values obtained following RT-PCR analysis of the positive samples in ASF outbreaks in Romania, as an indication for the viral load. The current study included 99 pools of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and 296 pools of biting midges (Culicoides spp.), collected in June-September 2020, from 30 outbreaks of ASF in domestic swine from backyard farms (BF), type A farms (TAF), and commercial farms (CF). All extracted DNA was tested for the presence of the ASFV genome using a real-time PCR protocol. Ct values of 39.53 and below were considered as positive (min: 18.19; median: 31.41; max: 39.53). The blood meal source was identified in the hematophagous insects by using a PCR protocol targeting the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. Data were analyzed using R software v. 4.0.5. In total, 3,158 insects (S. calcitrans n = 198 and Culicoides n = 2960) were collected in 23 farms of the 30 outbreak farms. Ten species of biting midges were identified. The total number of insect pools showed significant differences according to the month of sampling, with a higher number of pools collected in August and September. Overall, 137 pools out of the 395 examined were positive for the presence of ASFV DNA. There was a higher viral DNA load in farms where pigs were present at the moment of sampling compared to farms where pigs were already culled, in S. calcitrans compared to Culicoides spp. and in CF and TAF compared to BF.
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Krutko KS, Kinareikina AG, Serkova MI, Silivanova EA, Fedorova OA. Detection of genetic material of causative agents of animal viral diseases in blood-sucking dipterans from the Tyumen Region. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.31016/1998-8435-2022-16-4-389-402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the research is to test blood-sucking dipterans collected in the Tyumen Region for genetic material of viruses that cause dangerous diseases in live-stock animals.Materials and methods. From May to October 2021, blood-sucking insects of the Diptera order whose species membership was established by tabular keys were collected on pastures and farms in ten Tyumen Region districts. In 60 samples formed from the captured insects according to the taxonomic affiliation and the period and place of collection, the presence of genetic material of the leukemia provirus and the dermatitis nodularis virus of cattle (bovine) and the African swine fever virus was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in real time.Results and discussion. Adult insects collected for the PCR analysis were blood-sucking flies (family Muscidae, genus Stomoxys), mosquitoes (family Culicidae, genus Aedes), midges (family Simuliidae, genera Byssodon and Schoenbaueria), horseflies (family Tabanidae, genera Hybomitra, Tabanus and Haematopota), and biting midges (family Ceratopogonidae, genus Culicoides). As a result of the PCR testing of the samples for the bovine leukemia provirus DNA, 1 out of 13 samples of Stomoxys spp. (7.7%) and 1 of 13 samples of Hybomitra spp. (7.7%) were positive. The bovine leukemia provirus DNA detected in blood-sucking insects indicates the presence of this pathogen in the insect collection area as well as their possible involvement in its spread. Further research is needed on the Stomoxys spp. and Hybomitra spp. vector competence in vivo, considering natural and climatic features of the Tyumen Region.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. S. Krutko
- All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Veterinary Entomology and Arachnology – Branch of Federal State Institution Federal Research Centre Tyumen Scientific Centre of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ASRIVEA – Branch of Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS)
| | - A. G. Kinareikina
- All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Veterinary Entomology and Arachnology – Branch of Federal State Institution Federal Research Centre Tyumen Scientific Centre of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ASRIVEA – Branch of Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS)
| | - M. I. Serkova
- All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Veterinary Entomology and Arachnology – Branch of Federal State Institution Federal Research Centre Tyumen Scientific Centre of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ASRIVEA – Branch of Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS)
| | - E. A. Silivanova
- All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Veterinary Entomology and Arachnology – Branch of Federal State Institution Federal Research Centre Tyumen Scientific Centre of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ASRIVEA – Branch of Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS)
| | - O. A. Fedorova
- All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Veterinary Entomology and Arachnology – Branch of Federal State Institution Federal Research Centre Tyumen Scientific Centre of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ASRIVEA – Branch of Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS)
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Point-of-Care and Label-Free Detection of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Swine Influenza Viruses Using a Microfluidic Device with Photonic Integrated Circuits. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050988. [PMID: 35632730 PMCID: PMC9144544 DOI: 10.3390/v14050988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Swine viral diseases challenge the sector’s sustainability by affecting productivity and the health and welfare of the animals. The lack of antiviral drugs and/or effective vaccines renders early and reliable diagnosis the basis of viral disease management, underlining the importance of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. A novel POC diagnostic device utilizing photonic integrated circuits (PICs), microfluidics, and information and communication technologies for the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and swine influenza A (SIV) was validated using spiked and clinical oral fluid samples. Metrics including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated to assess the performance of the device. For PRRSV, the device achieved a sensitivity of 83.5%, specificity of 77.8%, and DOR values of 17.66, whereas the values for SIV were 81.8%, 82.2%, and 20.81, respectively. The POC device and PICs can be used for the detection of PRRSV and SIV in the field, paving the way for the introduction of novel technologies in the field of animal POC diagnostics to further optimize livestock biosecurity.
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Turčinavičienė J, Petrašiūnas A, Bernotienė R, Masiulis M, Jonušaitis V. The contribution of insects to African swine fever virus dispersal: data from domestic pig farms in Lithuania. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:484-489. [PMID: 33314280 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in domestic pig farms in Lithuania typically begin in June and are detected through October, suggesting that insects might be involved in the transmission of the virus. Entomological collecting was performed to obtain two data sets: from farms with ASF outbreaks, and from farms without ASF outbreaks but in an ASF-infected area. Target insects from the families Muscidae, Calliphoridae and Tabanidae were analysed for the presence of ASF Virus (ASFV) DNA. Musca domestica L., Calliphoridae flies and Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) collected by entomological net during ASF outbreaks were confirmed to be ASFV positive. Viral DNA detected in insects collected by Nzi traps from farms with no ASFV outbreaks indicate that Culex, Lucilia, M. domestica and S. calcitrans are likely to play a role in spreading the ASFV mechanically. This finding could suggest contamination from outside of the farms: from infected wild boar or their carcasses. The role of Stomoxys flies as mechanical vectors could be accidental, because we did not find a significant correlation between the activity of S. calcitrans and the number of ASF outbreaks in pig farms, whereas temperatures positively correlated to the number of ASF outbreaks during 2018-2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Turčinavičienė
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - A Petrašiūnas
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - R Bernotienė
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - M Masiulis
- Emergency Response Department, State Food and Veterinary Service, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Veterinary Faculty, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - V Jonušaitis
- Emergency Response Department, State Food and Veterinary Service, Vilnius, Lithuania
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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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10
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Depner K, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortazar Schmidt C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Sihvonen LH, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Winckler C, Abrahantes JC, Dhollander S, Ivanciu C, Papanikolaou A, Van der Stede Y, Blome S, Guberti V, Loi F, More S, Olsevskis E, Thulke HH, Viltrop A. ASF Exit Strategy: Providing cumulative evidence of the absence of African swine fever virus circulation in wild boar populations using standard surveillance measures. EFSA J 2021; 19:e06419. [PMID: 33717352 PMCID: PMC7926520 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
EFSA assessed the role of seropositive wild boar in African swine fever (ASF) persistence. Surveillance data from Estonia and Latvia investigated with a generalised equation method demonstrated a significantly slower decline in seroprevalence in adult animals compared with subadults. The seroprevalence in adults, taking more than 24 months to approach zero after the last detection of ASFV circulation, would be a poor indicator to demonstrate the absence of virus circulation. A narrative literature review updated the knowledge on the mortality rate, the duration of protective immunity and maternal antibodies and transmission parameters. In addition, parameters potentially leading to prolonged virus circulation (persistence) in wild boar populations were reviewed. A stochastic explicit model was used to evaluate the dynamics of virus prevalence, seroprevalence and the number of carcasses attributed to ASF. Secondly, the impact of four scenarios on the duration of ASF virus (ASFV) persistence was evaluated with the model, namely a: (1) prolonged, lifelong infectious period, (2) reduction in the case-fatality rate and prolonged transient infectiousness; (3) change in duration of protective immunity and (4) change in the duration of protection from maternal antibodies. Only the lifelong infectious period scenario had an important prolonging effect on the persistence of ASF. Finally, the model tested the performance of different proposed surveillance strategies to provide evidence of the absence of virus circulation (Exit Strategy). A two-phase approach (Screening Phase, Confirmation Phase) was suggested for the Exit Strategy. The accuracy of the Exit Strategy increases with increasing numbers of carcasses collected and tested. The inclusion of active surveillance based on hunting has limited impact on the performance of the Exit Strategy compared with lengthening of the monitoring period. This performance improvement should be reasonably balanced against an unnecessary prolonged 'time free' with only a marginal gain in performance. Recommendations are provided for minimum monitoring periods leading to minimal failure rates of the Exit Strategy. The proposed Exit Strategy would fail with the presence of lifelong infectious wild boar. That said, it should be emphasised that the existence of such animals is speculative, based on current knowledge.
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11
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Blome S, Franzke K, Beer M. African swine fever – A review of current knowledge. Virus Res 2020; 287:198099. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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12
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Vergne T, Andraud M, Bonnet S, De Regge N, Desquesnes M, Fite J, Etore F, Garigliany MM, Jori F, Lempereur L, Le Potier MF, Quillery E, Saegerman C, Vial L, Bouhsira E. Mechanical transmission of African swine fever virus by Stomoxys calcitrans: Insights from a mechanistic model. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:1541-1549. [PMID: 32910533 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) represents a global threat with huge economic consequences for the swine industry. Even though direct contact is likely to be the main transmission route from infected to susceptible hosts, recent epidemiological investigations have raised questions regarding the role of haematophagous arthropods, in particular the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans). In this study, we developed a mechanistic vector-borne transmission model for ASF virus (ASFV) within an outdoor domestic pig farm in order to assess the relative contribution of stable flies to the spread of the virus. The model was fitted to the ecology of the vector, its blood-feeding behaviour and pig-to-pig transmission dynamic. Model outputs suggested that in a context of low abundance (<5 flies per pig), stable flies would play a minor role in the spread of ASFV, as they are expected to be responsible for around 10% of transmission events. However, with abundances of 20 and 50 stable flies per pig, the vector-borne transmission would likely be responsible for almost 30% and 50% of transmission events, respectively. In these situations, time to reach a pig mortality of 10% would be reduced by around 26% and 40%, respectively. The sensitivity analysis emphasized that the expected relative contribution of stable flies was strongly dependent on the volume of blood they regurgitated and the infectious dose for pigs. This study identified crucial knowledge gaps that need to be filled in order to assess more precisely the potential contribution of stable flies to the spread of ASFV, including a quantitative description of the populations of haematophagous arthropods that could be found in pig farms, a better understanding of blood-feeding behaviours of stable flies and the quantification of the probability that stable flies partially fed with infectious blood transmit the virus to a susceptible pig during a subsequent blood-feeding attempt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothée Vergne
- UMR ENVT-INRAE IHAP, National Veterinary School of Toulouse, France
| | - Mathieu Andraud
- Unité d'Epidémiologie et de Bien-être Animal, Laboratoire de Ploufragan/Plouzané/Niort, Anses, France
| | - Sarah Bonnet
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Nick De Regge
- Sciensano, Scientific Direction Infectious Diseases in Animals, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marc Desquesnes
- InterTryp, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Johanna Fite
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Florence Etore
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Mutien-Marie Garigliany
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, University of Liège, Liège
| | - Ferran Jori
- UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), CIRAD-INRAE Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Elsa Quillery
- UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), CIRAD-INRAE Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Claude Saegerman
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, University of Liège, Liège
| | - Laurence Vial
- UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), CIRAD-INRAE Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Emilie Bouhsira
- UMR ENVT-INRAE InTheRes, National Veterinary School of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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