Molecular contamination of an animal facility during and after African swine fever virus infection
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Author
Walczak, Marek
Szymankiewicz, Krzesimir
Gavrilov, Boris
Żmudzki, Jacek
Kochanowski, Maciej
Juszkiewicz, Małgorzata
Szczotka-Bochniarz, Anna
Publication date
2023-12-19ISSN
2450-8608
Abstract
The molecular contamination of an animal facility was investigated during and after an infection with highly
pathogenic African swine fever virus (ASFV) among domestic pigs. The investigation evaluated the risk of indirect transmission
of the disease and indicated points that may facilitate cleaning and disinfection processes. Material and Methods: Six domestic
pigs were infected oronasally with the highly pathogenic Georgia 2007 strain. Environmental samples from the floors, walls, rubber
floor mats, feeders, drinkers, high-efficiency particulate-absorbing filter covers and doors were collected 7 days post infection
(dpi), 7 days later and 24 h after disinfection of the facility. The samples were investigated by real-time PCR and in vitro assays to
find genetic traces of ASFV and infectious virus. Results: Typical clinical outcomes for ASF (i.e. fever, apathy, recumbency and
bloody diarrhoea) were observed, and all animals died or required euthanasia before or at 9 dpi. No infectious virus was found in
environmental samples at the sampling time points. Genetic traces of ASFV were found in all locations except the doors. The initial
virus load was calculated using real-time PCR threshold cycle values and was the highest at the drain. A statistically significant
decrease of virus load over time was found on non-porous surfaces mechanically cleaned by water (the floor and drain).
Conclusion: The gathered data confirmed different routes of virus excretion (oral and nasal, faeces and urine, and aerosol) and
showed virus locations and different initial concentrations in the animal facility. Maintaining the facility with mechanical cleaning
and using personal protection (gloves) and hand disinfection may efficiently minimise the risk of further virus spread. Together
with the results of previously published studies, the present investigations’ failure to isolate infectious virus may suggest that if
stable environmental conditions are assured, the time needed before the introduction of new herds into previously ASF-affected
farm facilities could be shortened and in this way the economic losses caused by the disease outbreak mitigated.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
619 - Veterinary science
Pages
6
Publisher
Sciendo
Is part of
Journal of Veterinary Research
Citation
Walczak, Marek, Krzesimir Szymankiewicz, Fernando Rodriguez, Jordi Argilaguet, Boris Gavrilov, Jacek Żmudzki, Maciej Kochanowski, Małgorzata Juszkiewicz, and Anna Szczotka-Bochniarz. 2023. “Molecular contamination of an animal facility during and after African swine fever virus infection”. Journal of Veterinary Research 67 (4): 503–8. doi:10.2478/jvetres-2023-0065.
Program
Sanitat Animal
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2803]
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