Dataset Information

Genetic Characterization of African Swine Fever Italian Clusters in the 2022-2023 Epidemic Wave by a Multi-Gene Approach.

ABSTRACT: The first report of African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II in Italy in 2022 marked the beginning of a significant invasion in at least eight Italian regions with different infection clusters. In this study, we used the multi-gene approach to investigate the epidemiological associations between ASFV strains causing cases and outbreaks in wild boar and pigs in Italy from January 2022 to the end of 2023. Our results confirm that all the tested ASFV-positive Italian samples belonged to genotype II and show high homology with genotype II ASFV sequences previously collected in Eurasian countries. Molecular characterization revealed the presence of four genetic groups in Italy. The majority of African swine fever (ASF) samples analyzed in the current study (72%) belonged to genetic group 3, which was the most representative in Europe. The results also provide evidence of the prevalence of genetic group 19 (15.9%). In addition, we identified new putative genetic groups, genetic group 25 (9.1%) and genetic group 26 (3.0%), which have never been described before. This is the first detailed report on the molecular characterization of more than 130 ASFV strains circulating in Italy.

SUBMITTER: Giammarioli M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11360507 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Genetic Characterization of African Swine Fever Italian Clusters in the 2022-2023 Epidemic Wave by a Multi-Gene Approach.

Giammarioli Monica M Torresi Claudia C Biccheri Roberta R Cammà Cesare C Marcacci Maurilia M Dondo Alessandro A Razzuoli Elisabetta E Fusco Giovanna G Casalinuovo Francesco F Scicluna Maria Teresa MT Dei Giudici Silvia S Martin Ana Maria Moreno AMM Rossi Elisabetta E Casciari Cristina C Pela Michela M Iscaro Carmen C Gallardo Carmina C Marocco Gaia G Orrico Mario M Feliziani Francesco F

Viruses 20240724 8

The first report of African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II in Italy in 2022 marked the beginning of a significant invasion in at least eight Italian regions with different infection clusters. In this study, we used the multi-gene approach to investigate the epidemiological associations between ASFV strains causing cases and outbreaks in wild boar and pigs in Italy from January 2022 to the end of 2023. Our results confirm that all the tested ASFV-positive Italian samples belonged to genotyp ...[more]

PMID: 39205159

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Project description:IntroductionAfrican swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease of pigs and wild boar that poses a major threat to the global swine industry. The genotype II African swine fever virus (ASFV) entered the European Union (EU) in 2014 and since then fourteen countries have been affected, Italy and North Macedonia being the last in 2022. While whole genome sequencing remains the gold standard for the identification of new genetic markers, sequencing of multiple loci with significant variations could be used as a rapid and cost-effective alternative to track outbreaks and study disease evolution in endemic areas.Materials and methodsTo further our understanding of the epidemiology and spread of ASFV in Europe, 382 isolates collected during 2007 to 2022 were sequenced. The study was initially performed by sequencing the central variable region (CVR), the intergenic region (IGR) between the I73R and I329L genes and the O174L and K145R genes. For further discrimination, two new PCRs were designed to amplify the IGR between the 9R and 10R genes of the multigene family 505 (MGF505) and the IGR between the I329L and I215L genes. The sequences obtained were compared with genotype II isolates from Europe and Asia.ResultsThe combination of the results obtained by sequencing these variable regions allowed to differentiate the European II-ASFV genotypes into 24 different groups. In addition, the SNP identified in the IGR I329L-I215L region, not previously described, grouped the viruses from North Macedonia that caused the 2022 outbreaks with viruses from Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece, differentiating from other genotype II isolates present in Europe and Asia. Furthermore, tandem repeat sequence (TRS) within the 9R-10R genes of the multigene family 505 (MGF505) revealed eight different variants circulating.DiscussionThese findings describe a new multi-gene approach sequencing method that can be used in routine genotyping to determine the origin of new introductions in ASF-free areas and track infection dynamics in endemic areas.

Project description:IntroductionAfrican swine fever (ASF) is a disease with a high mortality rate and high transmissibility. Identifying high-risk clusters and understanding the transmission characteristics of ASF in advance are essential for preventing its spread in a short period of time. This study investigated the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of ASF in the Republic of Korea by analyzing surveillance data on wild boar carcasses.MethodsWe observed a distinct annual propagation pattern, with the occurrence of ASF-infected carcasses trending southward over time. We developed a rank-based statistical model to evaluate risk by estimating the average weekly number of carcasses per district over time, allowing us to analyze and identify risk clusters of ASF. We conducted an analysis to identify risk clusters for two distinct periods, Late 2022 and Early 2023, utilizing data from ASF-infected carcasses. To address the underestimation of risk and observation error due to incomplete surveillance data, we estimated the number of ASF-infected individuals and accounted for observation error via different surveillance intensities.ResultsAs a result, in Late 2022, the risk clusters identified by observed and estimated number of ASF-infected carcasses were almost identical, particularly in the northwestern Gyeongbuk region, north Chungbuk region, and southwestern Gangwon region. In Early 2023, we observed a similar pattern with numerous risk clusters identified in the same regions as in Late 2022.DiscussionThis approach enhances our understanding of ASF spatial dynamics. Additionally, it contributes to the epidemiology and study of animal infectious diseases by highlighting areas requiring urgent and focused intervention. By providing crucial data for the targeted allocation of resources for disease management and preventive measures, our findings lay vital groundwork for improving ASF management strategies, ultimately aiding in the containment and control of this devastating disease.

Project description:Recently moderate-virulence classical swine fever virus (CSFV) strains have been proven capable of generating postnatal persistent infection (PI), defined by the maintenance of viremia and the inability to generate CSFV-specific immune responses in animals. These animals also showed a type I interferon blockade in the absence of clinical signs. In this study, we assessed the infection generated in 7-week-old CSFV PI wild boars after infection with the African swine fever virus (ASFV). The wild boars were divided in two groups and were infected with ASFV. Group A comprised boars who were CSFV PI in a subclinical form and Group B comprised pestivirus-free wild boars. Some relevant parameters related to CSFV replication and the immune response of CSFV PI animals were studied. Additionally, serum soluble factors such as IFN-α, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and sCD163 were analysed before and after ASFV infection to assess their role in disease progression.After ASFV infection, only the CSFV PI wild boars showed progressive acute haemorrhagic disease; however, the survival rates following ASFV infection was similar in both experimental groups. Notwithstanding, the CSFV RNA load of CSFV PI animals remained unaltered over the study; likewise, the ASFV DNA load detected after infection was similar between groups. Interestingly, systemic type I FN-α and IL-10 levels in sera were almost undetectable in CSFV PI animals, yet detectable in Group B, while detectable levels of IFN-γ were found in both groups. Finally, the flow cytometry analysis showed an increase in myelomonocytic cells (CD172a+) and a decrease in CD4+ T cells in the PBMCs from CSFV PI animals after ASFV infection.Our results showed that the immune response plays a role in the progression of disease in CSFV subclinically infected wild boars after ASFV infection, and the immune response comprised the systemic type I interferon blockade. ASFV does not produce any interference with CSFV replication, or vice versa. ASFV infection could be a trigger factor for the disease progression in CSFV PI animals, as their survival after ASFV was similar to that of the pestivirus-free ASFV-infected group. This fact suggests a high resistance in CSFV PI animals even against a virus like ASFV; this may mean that there are relevant implications for CSF control in endemic countries. The diagnosis of ASFV and CSFV co-infection in endemic countries cannot be ruled out and need to be studied in greater depth.

Dataset Information

Genetic Characterization of African Swine Fever Italian Clusters in the 2022-2023 Epidemic Wave by a Multi-Gene Approach.

Publications

Genetic Characterization of African Swine Fever Italian Clusters in the 2022-2023 Epidemic Wave by a Multi-Gene Approach.

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