Classical swine fever virus: clinical, virological, serological and hematological findings after infection of domestic pigs and wild boars with the field isolate "Spante" originating from wild boar

A classical swine fever virus (CSFV) field isolate originating from wild boar was investigated on its virulence in domestic pigs and wild boar. Three weaner pigs and two wild boars (yearlings) were intranasally inoculated with the isolate "Spante" and tested for clinical, virological, hematological and serological findings until day 31 after infection (p. i.). One day p. i. the piglets were put in contact to three sentinel pigs. During a period of 31 d neither the domestic pigs nor the wild boars showed clinical signs specific for CSF. Two infected weaner pigs became transiently viraemic, transmitted CSFV in nasal secretions, showed a slight leukopenia and reacted serologically positive. The contact infection resulted in a viraemia in two sentinel piglets on day 30. Only one contact animal developed antibodies. None of the wild boars became viraemic, excreted CSFV in nasal secretions or developed antibodies. The CSFV isolate "Spante" represents a low virulent virus. Referring to a significant higher percentage of virologically positive tissue samples after nested PCR compared with the virus isolation, persistence of CSFV is discussed.     

Surveillance of classical swine fever in wild boar in South Korea from 2010–2014

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious systemic hemorrhagic viral disease of pigs. Wild boar plays a crucial role in the epidemiology of CSF. Between 2010 and 2014, samples were collected nationwide from 6,654 wild boars hunted in South Korea. Anti-CSF antibodies were identified in 0.59% (39 of 6,654) of the wild boar samples using a virus neutralization test and were primarily detected in wild boars living close to the demilitarized zone and the area of the Taebaek Mountains surroundings. The CSF virus (subgroup 2.1b) was isolated from two wild boars captured in a nearby border area. The criteria used to define high-risk areas for targeted CSF surveillance in South Korea should be further expanded to include other regions nationwide.     

Molecular epidemiology of classical swine fever in Italy

To gain an insight into the molecular epidemiology of classical swine fever (CSF) in Italy, virus isolates originating from outbreaks that occurred between 1985 and 2000 in wild boar or in domestic pigs in mainland Italy and in Sardinia were analysed by genetic typing. For this, a fragment (190 nucleotides) of the E2 glycoprotein gene was sequenced and phylogenetic analyses were performed, including older Italian isolates and isolates from recent outbreaks in Europe for comparison. The results show that in mainland Italy, several independent epidemiological events occurred in the last decade. In the north of the country, viruses of genotype 2.2 have persisted in wild boar, causing sporadic outbreaks in domestic pigs. In contrast, viruses of subgroups 2.1 and 2.3 appeared only intermittently in different regions of the mainland. In 1997, classical swine fever virus (CSFV) isolates belonging to the subgroup 2.1 and genetically and epidemiologically related to the Dutch isolate in Venhorst, affected domestic pigs exclusively. The isolates of subgroup 2.3, derived from wild boar as well as from domestic pigs were closely related to isolates from Germany and Poland. In Sardinia, CSF is an endemic in wild boar and affects domestic pigs also. Genetic typing showed that viruses of subgroups 1.1 and 2.3 have been present, the last ones being unrelated to the mainland viruses of the same subgroup. Due to the large quantities of pig and wild boar meat imported in some parts of Italy, it cannot be established if these viruses were always present in either the mainland or Sardinia, or if they represent recent introductions.     

Serosurveillance of notifiable veterinary diseases in wild boar in the Netherlands

During the hunting season 1996-1999, blood samples were collected from wild boar shot in The Netherlands. Sera were screened for presence of antibodies against classical swine fever virus (CSFV), swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV), Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), and Trichinella spiralis. The results indicate that CSFV, SVDV, and ADV are uncommon in the wild boar population. Therefore, it seems that CSFV, SVDV, and ADV infection in the wild boar population is not an important reservoir in The Netherlands. ADV and CSFV infections are endemic in the wild boar population in Germany. Since contact between the German and Dutch wild boar populations can not be excluded, continuation of the sero-surveillance system seems appropriate. In the decade before 1998, the wild boar population in The Netherlands seemed to be free of T. spiralis. Whether the finding, in the hunting season of 1998-1999, of a few wild boar with antibodies against T. spiralis is an artefact or not, should be investigated in further research.     

Incidence of classical swine fever (CSF) in wild boar in a densely populated area indicating CSF virus persistence as a mechanism for virus perpetuation

A virological survey was carried out to establish the distribution of classical swine fever (CSF) virus among wild boar in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany. Organ materials and blood samples were collected from 11,670 wild boar shot or found dead during the period March 1995 to December 1997. In total 211 (1.8%) wild boar were positive for CSF virus or antigen. The incidence of CSF-positive animals decreased continuously from 4.6% at the beginning of the epidemic in 1995 to 0.7% in 1997. The highest incidence of positive animals (22%) was found in wild-boar piglets younger than 3 months of age in 1995. The findings were indicative for the decisive role which young wild boar play in the epidemiology of CSF. Following intrauterine transfer some of the wild-boar piglets were probably persistently infected with CSF virus as experienced experimentally. Such piglets can be held responsible for CSF virus perpetuation within the wild-boar population. No CSF virus was isolated from adult wild boar weighing more than 75 kg. During 3 years of monitoring a sufficient number of susceptible wild boar, in particular young animals, was available to maintain the infection chain in that area. It was concluded that persistently infected piglets and the high population density of wild boar in the Brandenburg region offered optimal conditions for the establishment of an CSF epidemic.     

Incidence of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in Wild Boar in a Densely Populated Area Indicating CSF. Virus Persistence as a Mechanism for Virus Perpetuation

A virological survey was carried out to establish the distribution of classical swine fever (CSF) virus among wild boar in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany. Organ materials and blood samples were collected from 11 670 wild boar shot or found dead during the period March 1995 to December 1997. In total 211 (1.8%) wild boar were positive for CSF virus or antigen. The incidence of CSF-positive animals decreased continuously from 4.6% at the beginning of the epidemic in 1995 to 0.7% in 1997. The highest incidence of positive animals (22%) was found in wild-boar piglets younger than 3 months of age in 1995. The findings were indicative for the decisive role which young wild boar play in the epidemiology of CSF. Following intrauterine transfer some of the wild-boar piglets were probably persistently infected with CSF virus as experienced experimentally. Such piglets can be held responsible for CSF virus perpetuation within the wild-boar population. No CSF virus was isolated from adult wild boar weighing more than 75 kg. During 3 years of monitoring a sufficient number of susceptible wild boar, in particular young animals, was available to maintain the infection chain in that area. It was concluded that persistently infected piglets and the high population density of wild boar in the Brandenburg region offered optimal conditions for the establishment of an CSF epidemic.     

Emergence of 2.1. subgenotype of classical swine fever virus in pig population of India in 2011

Background: Limited studies are available on molecular epidemiology of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) in India and are restricted to domestic pigs. These studies show the presence of 1.1. genotype.

Hypothesis/objectives: The aim of the present study was to subgenotype four CSFV isolates, two each from the outbreaks of CSF in wild (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs of Mizoram state, India, in 2011.

Animals and methods: CSFV isolates were subjected to nucleotide sequencing in E2 and NS5B genomic regions. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolates in both genomic regions was carried out with 39 Indian isolates (4 isolates from the present study of Mizoram state and 35 isolates from the other states of India) and 57 reference sequences retrieved from the GenBank database. Two of the 39 isolates from India were collected from wild boar and were subgenotyped as 2.1. Out of 37 isolates from domestic pigs, only two were subgenotyped as 2.1.

Results: The analysis revealed the emergence of 2.1. subgenotype of CSFV in both wild and domestic pigs in India.

Conclusions and clinical importance: The isolates from domestic pigs of Mizoram state (CSF/MZ/KOL/73 and CSF/MZ/AIZ/115) were grouped in genotype 1 and subgenotype 1.1., thus confirming that the source of CSF outbreaks in domesticated pigs in Mizoram was not from wild pigs. The current study forms an essential step for better understanding of the epidemiology of 2.1 subgroup as well as the movement and spread of the disease in India.     

A serological survey on classical swine fever (CSF), Aujeszky's disease (AD) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus infections in French wild boars from 1991 to 1998

In early 1992, a CSF epizootic was clinically recognised in a wild boar population of approximately 1300 animals within an area of 250km(2) located in the east of France. In order to check the CSF situation in wild boars outside this area, a serological survey was carried out in the rest of France, for 8 consecutive years (1991-1998). This paper reports on the results obtained during this survey which included wild boars shot during the hunting period but also boars reared within fences. Around 1000-2700 sera a year were tested for the presence of antibodies to classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and also to Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV). Out of 12025 sera tested over the whole period, 80 wild boars were found positive for CSF antibodies. Sixty of them were collected on wild boars shot during the years 1992-1994 in the epizootic area located in east of France and 10 were collected in Corsica during the years 1994-1996. The last four positive samples were single reactors coming from areas or farms, which were thereafter confirmed to be serologically negative. These results together with the fact that no disease has been reported so far illustrate that the French wild boar population is probably not concerned by CSF infection (excepted in the east of France where the disease has now become enzootic). Two hundred and forty nine sera were initially detected as CSF positive but confirmed secondarily as positive for border disease (BD) antibodies. This finding shows that wild boars are also susceptible to infection by ruminant pestiviruses. Four hundred and twenty three wild boars have been found positive for ADV antibodies. In addition, from 1993 to 1995, 909 samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Thirty three of them were positive. The results on AD and PRRS antibody detection show that wild boars may constitute a reservoir for various infectious diseases of pigs.     

模猪场猪瘟野毒感染情况调查

利用ELISA方法对广西6个规模猪场送检的1626份猪血清进行猪瘟野毒感染情况调查。结果6个规模猪场均存在猪瘟野毒感染,其中母猪感染率为7.86%~29.21%,平均为17.52%,种公猪感染率为0%~23.52%,平均为11.83%,育肥猪感染率为5%~22.45%,平均为15.5%,断奶仔猪感染率为8.24%~18.57%,平均为12.69%。此检测结果与猪场临床发病情况基本一致,病猪多表现为繁殖障碍型、温和型的非典型猪瘟。     

Serum antibodies directed against classical swine fever virus and other pestiviruses in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Republic of Croatia

The presence of serum antibodies directed against classical swine fever (CSF) virus and other pestiviruses among the wild boar (Sus scrofa) population in Croatia was investigated. During 2003, serum samples from 214 wild boars were collected in 10 hunting areas in the continental part of the country.The sera were examined by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and in the virus neutralization test (VNT). Out of 214 sera tested 111 (51.87 %) were positive by ELISA and regarding neutralising antibodies, against CSFV 75 (35.05 %) samples were positive. In the VNT with the C-strain (conventional live vaccine strain China) and the strain Uelzen were used. Samples were also tested for neutralizing antibodies against border disease virus (BDV) using the strain 137/4 and against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) using the NADL strain. Neutralizing antibodies against the C-strain were detected in 36 sera (16.82 %), against strain Uelzen in 17 sera (7.94 %) and in 22 sera (10.28 %) against both strains. In five sera (2.33 %) neutralizing antibodies against BVDV and BDV were found.     

Long-term studies on maternal immunity for Aujeszky's disease and classical swine fever in wild boar piglets

The aim of the studies was to fathom the duration and the role of maternal immunity for Aujeszky's disease (AD) and classical swine fever (CSF) in wild boar offspring. In one experiment, two wild boar sows were infected with a low pathogenic pseudorabies virus (PRV) in 1999. A total of 51 offspring was born between 1999 and 2002 and was monitored for PRV maternal antibodies. In a second experiment, the maternal immunity for CSF was analysed. Therefore, a sow was orally vaccinated against CSF using vaccine baits containing the live-attenuated C-strain vaccine. The vaccination took place in January 1999. The sow gave birth to four piglets in 2001 and to two piglets in 2002. With respect to maternal immunity for AD, some piglets reacted positive in the ELISA up to 27-week post-partum while in the neutralization test antibodies were detected up to 15-week post-partum. The calculated half-life of neutralizing antibodies was 21 days. Regarding CSF, the neutralization titres of maternal antibodies dropped continuously reaching values of < or =10 ND50 20-week post-partum. After the 12th week post-partum, most of the sera reacted negative in the ELISA. However, after the third month, low levels of neutralization titres were still detectable. The results are discussed with respect to the epidemiology and control of both diseases in wild boar populations.     

Role of birds in transmission of classical swine fever virus

Active transmission of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) was studied in six birds (five ravens, one hooded crow) and two laying hens. Cloacal swabs, blood and organs of birds and hens as well as blood and organ samples of pigs which had been fed with faeces derived from CSFV infected birds or which had come in contact with faeces of infected hens were negative for CSFV. None of the animals seroconverted during the study. This result demonstrates that active virus transmission by these animals is unlikely. Dissemination of CSFV from wild boar to domestic pigs is discussed.     

Replication of classical swine fever virus strains and isolates in different porcine cell lines

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is an economically important pathogen of domestic pigs and wild boar. Due to the highly variable clinical picture of CSF, laboratory methods are essential for an unambiguous diagnosis. Virus isolation using cell culture is still considered the gold standard. It is based on the incubation of permissive cells with organ or leukocyte preparations followed by antigen detection. In the "EU Diagnostic Manual for CSF Diagnosis", the permanent cell line PK(15) (porcine kidney) is recommended. In the European Reference Laboratory (EURL) a clone of this cell line, PK(15)A, and the STE (swine testicular epitheloid) cell line are in use for propagation of CSFV. The aim of this work was to assess the relative ability of eleven permanent cell lines derived from various organs of wild boar and domestic pig, respectively, to support the replication of different strains and isolates in comparison to these cell lines. An avirulent and a highly virulent laboratory CSFV strain, and several recent field isolates from domestic pigs and wild boars were used. Titers were determined after one, two and three virus passages, and after 48 and 120 h of incubation. Of the eleven cell lines analyzed, two were found that replicated all the tested CSFV strains and field isolates. Those may be useful for improving diagnosis of CSFV and for preparing low-passaged virus stocks of new isolates.     

Studies on the virulence of two field isolates of the classical Swine Fever virus genotype 2.3 rostock in wild boars of different age groups

The virulence of two isolates of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) was studied in experimentally infected wild boars of different ages. The isolates, originating from wild boars shot in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (isolate '1829-NVP') and in Rhineland-Palatinate (isolate '11722-WIL'), belong to the genetic subgroup 2.3 Rostock. Clinical picture, transient viraemia, virus excretion and gross lesions at necropsy as well as a failure of virus detection at the end of the experiment revealed that this virus subtype was only moderately virulent. Whereas one subadult wild boar and both 7-week-old wild boar piglets infected intranasally became sick and died, only one of three 8-week-old animals which survived after contact infection remained CSFV positive until the end of the experiment [34 days post infection (dpi)], although neutralizing antibodies were present. This underlines the role of young boars in CSF epidemics. The isolate '11722-WIL' was shed by an infected adult wild boar and was transmitted to susceptible piglets. Interestingly, all animals which became sick and died also were found to be infected with a secondary pathogen. Therefore, we assume that after infection with moderately virulent CSFV simultaneous infections with other pathogens may be important for the clinical course and the outcome of the disease as well as for a spread of the virus in field.     

Prevalence of antibodies to classical swine fever,Aujeszky's disease,porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome,and bovine viral diarrhoea viruses in wild boars in Croatia

During the hunting season in February 1999, a total of 44 blood samples were collected from wild boars shot in the area of Moslavacka gora. These blood samples were examined by enzyme immunoassay for the presence of antibodies to classical swine fever (CSFV), Aujeszky's disease (ADV), bovine viral diarrhoea (BVDV), and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRSV) viruses. Out of 44 serum samples examined, 17 (38.63%) were positive for CSFV, 24 (54.54%) were positive for ADV and two (4.54%) were positive for BVDV. All sera were negative for PRRSV. The results, recorded for the first time in Croatia, supported the hypothesis that wild boar act as a potential reservoir of CSFV, ADV and BVDV, and thus have a role in the epidemiology of these diseases.     

Prevalence of Antibodies to Classical Swine Fever,Aujeszky's Disease,Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome,and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Viruses in Wild Boars in Croatia

During the hunting season in February 1999, a total of 44 blood samples were collected from wild boars shot in the area of MoslavaC?ka gora. These blood samples were examined by enzyme immunoassay for the presence of antibodies to classical swine fever (CSFV), Aujeszky's disease (ADV), bovine viral diarrhoea (BVDV), and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRSV) viruses. Out of 44 serum samples examined, 17 (38.63%) were positive for CSFV, 24 (54.54%) were positive for ADV and two (4.54%) were positive for BVDV. All sera were negative for PRRSV. The results, recorded for the first time in Croatia, supported the hypothesis that wild boar act as a potential reservoir of CSFV, ADV and BVDV, and thus have a role in the epidemiology of these diseases.     

Epidemiological survey of swine influenza A virus in selected wild boar populations in Germany

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological situation of swine influenza virus (SIV) infections in different wild boar populations in Germany based on a serological surveillance in some Bundeslaender (federal states) in connection with virological investigations in wild boar shot in Northern Germany (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, district of Nordvorpommern). Altogether, 1245 sera from wild boar were tested using the hemagglutination inhibition test. The established seroprevalence rate was low (on average 5.2%). Antibodies were only detected against the subtypes H1N1 and H3N2 showing differences between wild boar populations and age classes. The virological investigation of samples derived from lungs of wild boar shot in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, district of Nordvorpommern (n=242), revealed that the virus prevalence (two virologically positive animals, 0.8%) was very low. Based on serological typing, the isolated SIV was identified as subtype H3N2. Molecular biological investigations of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes confirmed this result. This study suggests that SIV infections in wild boar seem to be no serious threat for domestic pigs.