Results of Serological and Molecular Analysis of African and Classical Swine Fever in the Population of Wild Boars in Ukraine

Abstract

The results of the study of lymphoid organs and sera of wild boars for the presence of DNA of African swine fever (ASF) virus and RNA of classical swine fever (CSF) virus are presented, as well as the results of a serological examination for the presence of ASF and CSF virus antibodies. The study was conducted in Ukraine between 2008 and 2013. Biological samples were obtained from wild boars shot during the hunting season, and were examined by real-time PCR and ELISA. In total, 5759 sera were tested for CSF virus antibodies and 4856 for ASF virus antibodies by ELISA. Samples of lymphoid organs totalling 1129 were examined by PCR for the detection of CSF virus RNA and 8102 such samples were examined for the detection of ASF virus DNA. CSF virus antibodies were detected in 6.56% of wild boar sera. RNA of CSF virus was also identified in 1 out of 1129 samples tested. ASF virus antibodies or DNA in lymphoid organ samples were not detected.

Supporting control programs on African swine fever in Ukraine through a knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey targeting backyard farmers

“…These results may be due to respondents might get confused with Classical Swine Fever (CSF), a disease that also affects domestic pigs and wild boars and for which there is a vaccine (OIE, 2021). CSF was eradicated in Ukraine in 1997, after mass vaccination in domestic pigs (Nevolko et al., 2015). However, sporadic cases are occasionally still reported in wild boars, posing a risk of recurrence in domestic pigs (Nychyk et al., 2018).…”

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boars (Sus scrofa) hunted in Ukraine

“…The sampling frame consisted of 6840 surplus serum samples that had been collected from wild boars across Ukraine for a nationwide monitoring program of viral diseases, including African swine fever (ASF), for which all the samples tested negative ( Nevolko et al, 2015 ; Sytiuk, 2015 ). The blood samples had been originally collected by hunters into syringes after the wild boars had been shot, and the hunters had provided the background information for each animal (hunting location, sex of the animal, age group of the animal based on its phenotype, and weight estimate).…”