African Swine Fever Virus: A Review

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of swine which causes high mortality, approaching 100%, in domestic pigs. ASF is caused by a large, double stranded DNA virus, ASF virus (ASFV), which replicates predominantly in the cytoplasm of macrophages and is the only member of the Asfarviridae family, genus Asfivirus. The natural hosts of this virus include wild suids and arthropod vectors of the Ornithodoros genus. The infection of ASFV in its reservoir hosts is usually asymptomatic and develops a persistent infection. In contrast, infection of domestic pigs leads to a lethal hemorrhagic fever for which there is no effective vaccine. Identification of ASFV genes involved in virulence and the characterization of mechanisms used by the virus to evade the immune response of the host are recognized as critical steps in the development of a vaccine. Moreover, the interplay of the viral products with host pathways, which are relevant for virus replication, provides the basic information needed for the identification of potential targets for the development of intervention strategies against this disease.

Implementation of a Regional Training Program on African Swine Fever As Part of the Cooperative Biological Engagement Program across the Caucasus Region

“…Introduction of African swine fever virus (ASFV) into domestic pig populations can incite economic catastrophe, resulting in loss of agricultural assets with an adverse impact on the international commercial pork trade (1). …”

“…The virus is efficiently transmitted from wild boars to domestic pigs, and between live pigs through contact or ingestion of contaminated meat. Soft ticks ( Ornithodoros species) are the only known vectors of ASF (1). The presence, distribution, and epidemiological role of Ornithodoros ticks in the Caucasus region and eastern Europe remains unclear (2).…”

“…Before 1957, ASF had been detected only in Africa (1). The first outbreak of ASF was recorded in Georgia in April 2007; ASF cases were simultaneously reported in three different locations across the country.…”

High-throughput and all-solution phase African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) detection using CRISPR-Cas12a and fluorescence based point-of-care system

“…African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly virulent pathogen that causes near 100% mortality rate in domestic pigs and wild boars (Galindo and Alonso, 2017;Sánchez-Cordón et al, 2018).…”

CRISPR/Cas12a technology combined with immunochromatographic strips for portable detection of African swine fever virus

“…ASF is indistinguishable from classical swine fever (CSF) by clinical signs or post-mortem necropsy 7,8 . ASF control is mainly by animal slaughter and strict sanitary measures due to the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, which causes major economic losses 1 . A highly sensitive and specific diagnostic method is needed for early virus detection, as this aids in the rapid implementation of control measures necessary for disease control and eradication 9 .…”