Genetic Variations of African Swine Fever Virus: Major Challenges and Prospects

Shengmei Chen; Tao Wang; Rui Luo; Zhanhao Lu; Jing Lan; Yuan Sun; Qiang Fu; Hua-Ji Qiu

doi:10.3390/v16060913

Viruses (Jun 2024)

Genetic Variations of African Swine Fever Virus: Major Challenges and Prospects

Shengmei Chen,
Tao Wang,
Rui Luo,
Zhanhao Lu,
Jing Lan,
Yuan Sun,
Qiang Fu,
Hua-Ji Qiu

Affiliations

Shengmei Chen: College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, China
Tao Wang: State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, National African Swine Fever Para-Reference Laboratory, National High Containment Facilities for Animal Diseases Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China
Rui Luo: State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, National African Swine Fever Para-Reference Laboratory, National High Containment Facilities for Animal Diseases Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China
Zhanhao Lu: State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, National African Swine Fever Para-Reference Laboratory, National High Containment Facilities for Animal Diseases Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China
Jing Lan: State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, National African Swine Fever Para-Reference Laboratory, National High Containment Facilities for Animal Diseases Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China
Yuan Sun: State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, National African Swine Fever Para-Reference Laboratory, National High Containment Facilities for Animal Diseases Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China
Qiang Fu: College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, China
Hua-Ji Qiu: College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v16060913
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 16, no. 6
p. 913

Abstract

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African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease affecting pigs and wild boars. It typically presents as a hemorrhagic fever but can also manifest in various forms, ranging from acute to asymptomatic. ASF has spread extensively globally, significantly impacting the swine industry. The complex and highly variable character of the ASFV genome makes vaccine development and disease surveillance extremely difficult. The overall trend in ASFV evolution is towards decreased virulence and increased transmissibility. Factors such as gene mutation, viral recombination, and the strain-specificity of virulence-associated genes facilitate viral variations. This review deeply discusses the influence of these factors on viral immune evasion, pathogenicity, and the ensuing complexities encountered in vaccine development, disease detection, and surveillance. The ultimate goal of this review is to thoroughly explore the genetic evolution patterns and variation mechanisms of ASFV, providing a theoretical foundation for advancement in vaccine and diagnostic technologies.

Published in Viruses

ISSN: 1999-4915 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Microbiology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses

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