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Research article2017Peer reviewedOpen access

Pre-Clinical Evaluation of a Real-Time PCR Assay on a Portable Instrument as a Possible Field Diagnostic Tool: Experiences from the Testing of Clinical Samples for African and Classical Swine Fever Viruses

Liu, L.; Luo, Y.; Accensi, F.; Ganges, L.; Rodriguez, F.; Shan, H.; Stahl, K.; Qiu, H. -J.; Belak, S.

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) and classical swine fever (CSF) are two highly infectious transboundary animal diseases (TADs) that are serious threats to the pig industry worldwide, including in China, the world's largest pork producer. In this study, a duplex real-time PCR assay was developed for the rapid detection and differentiation of African swine fever virus (ASFV) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV). The assay was performed on a portable, battery-powered PCR thermocycler with a low sample throughput (termed as T-COR4 assay'). The feasibility and reliability of the T-COR4 assay as a possible field method was investigated by testing clinical samples collected in China. When evaluated with reference materials or samples from experimental infections, the assay performed in a reliable manner, producing results comparable to those obtained from stationary PCR platforms. Of 59 clinical samples, 41 had results identical to a two-step CSFV real-time PCR assay. No ASFV was detected in these samples. The T-COR4 assay was technically easy to perform and produced results within 3h, including sample preparation. In combination with a simple sample preparation method, the T-COR4 assay provides a new tool for the field diagnosis and differentiation of ASF and CSF, which could be of particular value in remote areas.

Keywords

African swine fever virus; classical swine fever virus; portable real-time PCR cycler; field test; on-site diagnosis

Published in

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
2017, Volume: 64, number: 5, pages: E31-E35 Publisher: WILEY

          SLU Authors

        • Belak, Sandor

          • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
          • National Veterinary Institute (SVA)
          • World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Collaborating Centre for the Biotechnology-based Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Veterinary Medicine

        UKÄ Subject classification

        Clinical Science

        Publication identifier

        DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.12538

        Permanent link to this page (URI)

        https://res.slu.se/id/publ/91865