Results of Serological and Molecular Analysis of African and Classical Swine Fever in the Population of Wild Boars in Ukraine

The results of the study of lymphoid organs and sera of wild boars for the presence of DNA of African swine fever (ASF) virus and RNA of classical swine fever (CSF) virus are presented, as well as the results of a serological examination for the presence of ASF and CSF virus antibodies. The study was conducted in Ukraine between 2008 and 2013. Biological samples were obtained from wild boars shot during the hunting season, and were examined by real-time PCR and ELISA. In total, 5759 sera were tested for CSF virus antibodies and 4856 for ASF virus antibodies by ELISA. Samples of lymphoid organs totalling 1129 were examined by PCR for the detection of CSF virus RNA and 8102 such samples were examined for the detection of ASF virus DNA. CSF virus antibodies were detected in 6.56% of wild boar sera. RNA of CSF virus was also identified in 1 out of 1129 samples tested. ASF virus antibodies or DNA in lymphoid organ samples were not detected.