Stability of African swine fever virus genome under different environmental conditions

Research (Published online: 27-11-2023)

25. Stability of African swine fever virus genome under different environmental conditions

Wei Zheng, Jiahui Xi, Yin Zi, Jinling Wang, Yue Chi, Min Chen, Qingjian Zou, Chengcheng Tang, and Xiaoqing Zhou

Veterinary World, 16(11): 2374-2381

Wei Zheng: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529000, China.

Jiahui Xi: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529000, China.

Yin Zi: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529000, China.

Jinling Wang: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529000, China.

Yue Chi: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529000, China.

Min Chen: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529000, China.

Qingjian Zou: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529000, China.

Chengcheng Tang: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529000, China.

Xiaoqing Zhou: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Science, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529000, China.

Background and Aim: African swine fever (ASF), a globally transmitted viral disease caused by ASF virus (ASFV), can severely damage the global trade economy. Laboratory diagnostic methods, including pathogen and serological detection techniques, are currently used to monitor and control ASF. Because the large double-stranded DNA genome of the mature virus particle is wrapped in a membrane, the stability of ASFV and its genome is maintained in most natural environments. This study aimed to investigate the stability of ASFV under different environmental conditions from both genomic and antibody perspectives, and to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and elimination of ASFV.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for pathogen assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serological assays to examine the stability of the ASFV genome and antibody, respectively, under different environmental conditions.

Results: The stability of the ASFV genome and antibody under high-temperature conditions depended on the treatment time. In the pH test, the ASFV genome and antibody remained stable in both acidic and alkaline environments. Disinfection tests revealed that the ASFV genome and antibody were susceptible to standard disinfection methods.

Conclusion: Collectively, the results demonstrated that the ASFV genome is highly stable in favorable environments but are also susceptible to standard disinfection methods. This study focuses on the stability of the ASFV genome under different conditions and provides various standard disinfection methods for the prevention and control of ASF.

Keywords: African swine fever, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, standard disinfection methods, virus stability.