Classical Swine Fever in Wild Hog: Report of its Prevalence in Northeast India

Abstract

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is the causative agent of a highly contagious disease, hog cholera in pigs. The disease is endemic in many parts of the world and vaccination is the only way to protect the animals from CSFV infection. Wild hogs belong to the species Sus Scrofa Cristatus under the family Suidae are quite susceptible to CSFV infection. The epidemiological role concerning classical swine fever (CSF) in India is largely unknown. We report here the three isolated cases of CSF in wild hogs from three National parks, namely Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park and Jaldapara National Park, from north-east part of India. The post-mortem and histopathological findings were clearly indicative for CSFV infection. The presence of CSFV genome was demonstrated in several organs and tissues collected from hogs died due to viral infection. In addition, CSF-specific antibodies were detected in two wild hogs as well as in eighteen feral pigs from the same locations. The phylogenetic analysis of the partial E2 protein gene and 5' untranslated region of CSFV isolates from the wild hog showed identities with genotype 2.2 of the Indian isolates. Occurrence of CSF in wild hogs may pose a potent threat in the epidemiology of the virus in Northeast part of India. To the best of our knowledge, the report presented in the manuscript is the first comprehensive report on CSF in wild hogs form Northeast India. The findings reported would help us to understand the epidemiology and biology of CSFV in wild animals.

Classical Swine Fever—An Updated Review

“…Exceptions are the 2005 outbreak in South Africa and the 2009 outbreak in Israel that were both caused by 2.1 CSFV strains [70,71]. Reports from India are increasingly detailed and demonstrate that sub-genotypes 1.1, 2.1, and 2.2 are co-circulating [72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79]. This changes the historical situation where genotype 1.1 strains predominated.…”

Evidence of BVDV in Pigs from North Eastern Part of India- Genetic Profiling and Characterisation

“…Regarding molecular phylogenetic studies of pestiviruses in the north eastern part of India, several reports have been published stating prevalence of CSFV subgenotype 1.1 and emergence of subgenotype 2.2 in the region [ 47 ]. Recently, CSFV of genotype 2.2 from wild hog has also been reported from the region [ 48 ]. Overall results in our laboratory showed that the CSFV isolates from India, Nepal and China might have some common ancestor and subgenotype 2.2 is wide spread in the north- eastern region of India.…”

A magnetoelastic biosensor based on E2 glycoprotein for wireless detection of classical swine fever virus E2 antibody

“…Some countries, such as Australia, North America, and New Zealand have successfully eradicated the disease through the fulfillment of regulatory measures 3 . However, the disease is still existent in other parts of the world, for instance, Madagascar, Singapore, Laos, Lithua-nia, Myanmar, Colombia, and Republic of Korea, impeding the development of animal husbandry 4 – 6 .…”