Pikalo Jutta, Deutschmann Paul, Fischer Melina, Roszyk Hanna, Beer Martin, Blome Sandra
Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Pathogens. 2021 Feb 6;10(2):177. doi: 10.3390/pathogens10020177.
African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a hemorrhagic disease in pigs with high socio-economic consequences. To lower the impact of disease incursions, early detection is crucial. In the context of experimental animal trials, we evaluated diagnostic workflows for a high sample throughput in active surveillance, alternative sample matrices for passive surveillance, and lateral flow devices (LFD) for rapid testing. We could demonstrate that EDTA blood is significantly better suited for early ASFV detection than serum. Tissues recommended by the respective diagnostic manuals were in general comparable in their performance, with spleen samples giving best results. Superficial lymph nodes, ear punches, and different blood swabs were also evaluated as potential alternatives. In summary, all matrices yielded positive results at the peak of clinical signs and could be fit for purpose in passive surveillance. However, weaknesses were discovered for some matrices when it comes to the early phase of infection or recovery. The antigen LFD showed variable results with best performance in the clinical phase. The antibody LFD was quite comparable with ELISA systems. Concluding, alternative approaches are feasible but have to be embedded in control strategies selecting test methods and sample materials following a "fit-for-purpose" approach.
非洲猪瘟病毒（ASFV）会引发猪的出血性疾病，造成严重的社会经济后果。为降低疾病入侵的影响，早期检测至关重要。在实验动物试验的背景下，我们评估了主动监测中高样本通量的诊断流程、被动监测的替代样本基质以及用于快速检测的侧向流动装置（LFD）。我们能够证明，乙二胺四乙酸（EDTA）抗凝血比血清更适合早期ASFV检测。各诊断手册推荐的组织在性能上总体相当，脾脏样本的检测结果最佳。浅表淋巴结、耳组织切片和不同的血拭子也被评估为潜在的替代样本。总之，所有样本基质在临床症状高峰期均得出阳性结果，且适用于被动监测。然而，在感染早期或恢复阶段，发现某些样本基质存在不足。抗原LFD的结果参差不齐，在临床阶段表现最佳。抗体LFD与酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）系统相当。总之，替代方法是可行的，但必须纳入控制策略，按照“适用即合理”的方法选择检测方法和样本材料。
