Joining the club: First detection of African swine fever in wild boar in Germany

Sauter‐Louis, Carola; Forth, Jan Hendrik; Probst, Carolina; Staubach, Christoph; Hlinak, Andreas; Rudovsky, Annett; Holland, Diana; Schlieben, Patricia; Göldner, Melanie; Schatz, Juliane; Bock, Sabine; Fischer, Melina; Schulz, Katja; Homeier‐Bachmann, Timo; Plagemann, Ralf; Klaaß, Ulf; Marquart, Ronny; Mettenleiter, Thomas C.; Beer, Martin; Conraths, Franz Josef; Blome, Sandra

doi:10.1111/tbed.13890

Cited by 100 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In our hands, this matrix was not practicable. Ear punches of clinically diseased animals were positive for viral genome which is in line with recent findings that also show the skin yielded positive results when testing wild boar carcasses [ 40 ] or experimentally infected animals [ 17 ]. However, the low level of viral genome and the quite difficult handling does not make this matrix an alternative candidate for routine settings.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…Over the last years, our group has validated blood swabs as an alternative matrix for passive surveillance, especially in wild boar [ 11 , 12 , 23 ]. Only recently, the approach was also put to field practice when ASF entered Germany, and it performed well [ 40 ]. As optimization is always possible, and new development have been put on the market, we include a new type of swab and transport buffer into our comparison.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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African Swine Fever Laboratory Diagnosis—Lessons Learned from Recent Animal Trials

et al. 2021

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African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a hemorrhagic disease in pigs with high socio-economic consequences. To lower the impact of disease incursions, early detection is crucial. In the context of experimental animal trials, we evaluated diagnostic workflows for a high sample throughput in active surveillance, alternative sample matrices for passive surveillance, and lateral flow devices (LFD) for rapid testing. We could demonstrate that EDTA blood is significantly better suited for early ASFV detection than serum. Tissues recommended by the respective diagnostic manuals were in general comparable in their performance, with spleen samples giving best results. Superficial lymph nodes, ear punches, and different blood swabs were also evaluated as potential alternatives. In summary, all matrices yielded positive results at the peak of clinical signs and could be fit for purpose in passive surveillance. However, weaknesses were discovered for some matrices when it comes to the early phase of infection or recovery. The antigen LFD showed variable results with best performance in the clinical phase. The antibody LFD was quite comparable with ELISA systems. Concluding, alternative approaches are feasible but have to be embedded in control strategies selecting test methods and sample materials following a “fit-for-purpose” approach.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Swine Fever Laboratory Diagnosis—Lessons Learned from Recent Animal Trials

et al. 2021

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“…In addition, they can carry diseases, which may threaten livestock animals. In particular, the first detection of African swine fever virus in wild boars hunted in Germany near the border to Poland in 2020 has raised serious concerns about a transmission to domestic pigs [ 51 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wild Boars Carry Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase- and AmpC-Producing Escherichia coli

et al. 2021

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Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represent major healthcare concerns. The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of these bacteria is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine their prevalence in wild boars in Germany and to characterize individual isolates. A total of 375 fecal samples and 439 nasal swabs were screened for the presence of ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli and MRSA, respectively. The associations of seven demographic and anthropogenic variables with the occurrence of ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli were statistically evaluated. Collected isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular typing methods, and gene detection by PCR and genome sequencing. ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli were detected in 22 fecal samples (5.9%) whereas no MRSA were detected. The occurrence of ESBL-/AmpC-E. coli in wild boars was significantly and positively associated with human population density. Of the 22 E. coli, 19 were confirmed as ESBL-producers and carried genes belonging to blaCTX-M group 1 or blaSHV-12. The remaining three isolates carried the AmpC-β-lactamase gene blaCMY-2. Several isolates showed additional antimicrobial resistances. All four major phylogenetic groups were represented with group B1 being the most common. This study demonstrates that wild boars can serve as a reservoir for ESBL-/AmpC-producing and multidrug-resistant E. coli.

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“…The recent entry of African swine fever (ASF) into Germany in September 2020 showed that the ASF spread in the European Union has not yet come to a hold (1). Since the beginning of the current epidemic in Georgia in 2007, more and more wild boar and domestic pigs have become infected globally (2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparison of Perceptions of Estonian and Latvian Hunters With Regard to the Control of African Swine Fever

et al. 2021

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Since the first detected African swine fever (ASF) cases in Lithuanian wild boar in 2014, the virus has occurred in many other member states of the European Union (EU), most recently in Belgium in 2018 and in Germany in 2020. Passive surveillance and various control measures are implemented as part of the strategy to stop disease spread in the wild boar population. Within this framework, hunters perform important activities, such as the removal of carcasses, fencing or hunting. Therefore, the successful implementation of these measures largely depends on their acceptability by hunters. Methods of participatory epidemiology can be used to determine the acceptance of control measures. The use of participatory methods allows the involvement of key stakeholders in the design, the implementation and the analysis of control and surveillance activities. In the present study, two studies that had been conducted using participatory epidemiology with hunters in Estonia and Latvia were compared on the topics recruitment, participants, facilitators, focus group discussion (FGDs) and their contents. The aim was to evaluate similarities and differences in the two studies and to identify a broader spectrum of possibilities to increase the willingness of hunters supporting the fight against ASF. Evaluating all conducted FGDs in both countries showed primarily similarities in the perceptions and opinions of the hunters in Estonia and Latvia. One notable difference was that passive surveillance in Latvia was perceived mostly as topic of duty and ethics rather than an issue driven by incentives. Participatory methods have proven to be an effective tool in the evaluation of the acceptance of established ASF control systems. The results of this study point out further chances for improving the cooperation with hunters in the future. Nevertheless, the importance of gathering and analyzing the opinions of hunters in all ASF affected countries individually is highlighted.

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Joining the club: First detection of African swine fever in wild boar in Germany

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cited by 100 publications

References 22 publications

African Swine Fever Laboratory Diagnosis—Lessons Learned from Recent Animal Trials

African Swine Fever Laboratory Diagnosis—Lessons Learned from Recent Animal Trials

Wild Boars Carry Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase- and AmpC-Producing Escherichia coli

A Comparison of Perceptions of Estonian and Latvian Hunters With Regard to the Control of African Swine Fever

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