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Also known as: '''''CSF'''''

Also known as: '''''CSF'''''

==Description==

==Description==

The most common finding in cases of congenital classical swine fever is CNS pathology, particularly cerebellar hypoplasia.

The most common finding in cases of congenital classical swine fever is CNS pathology, particularly cerebellar hypoplasia.

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===

Laboratory testing is required to confirm a diagnosis of classical swine fever. As well as collection of tissues for histopathology, samples of tonsils, spleen, lymph nodes, kidney and distal ileum are taken for virus detection. Virus may be detected by fluorescent antibody detection, ''in situ'' hybridisation, PCR, immunoperoxidase staining or virus isolation. Several of these methods are reviewed by Moennig¹, and are briefly summarised here.

Laboratory testing is required to confirm a diagnosis of classical swine fever. As well as collection of tissues for histopathology, samples of tonsils, spleen, lymph nodes, kidney and distal ileum are taken for virus detection. Virus may be detected by fluorescent antibody detection, ''in situ'' hybridisation, PCR, immunoperoxidase staining or virus isolation. Several of these methods are reviewed by Moennig¹, and are briefly summarised here.

The gold standard laboratory test for CSFV is virus isolation in cell culture. In viraemic animals, virus may be isolated both from buffy coat cells and from supsensions of spleen, lymph node, tonsil, kidney or parotid salivary glands. Samples are incubated on cultures of porcine cells, and since classical swine fever virus is non-cytopathogenic, anti-CSFV antibodies are used to detect virus. Depsite good specificity and sensitivity, the virus isolation process takes around three days and is labour intesive and therefore costly. Fluorescent antibody testing is less sensitive but more rapid than virus isolation, and involves the used of fluoresecently-labelled anti-CSFV antibodies to demonstrate the presence of virus antigen in tissue. A virus anitigen capture ELISA also established the presence of antigen through the used of specific antibodies, and is useful for screening large numbers of animals.  In the last ten years, it has become possible to detect CSF virus RNA by RT-PCR, usually of the 5' untranslated region. As well as confirming infection, this allows subsequent genetic sequening and differentiation between isolates.

The gold standard laboratory test for CSFV is virus isolation in cell culture. In viraemic animals, virus may be isolated both from buffy coat cells and from suspensions of spleen, lymph node, tonsil, kidney or parotid salivary glands. Samples are incubated on cultures of porcine cells, and since classical swine fever virus is non-cytopathogenic, anti-CSFV antibodies are used to detect virus. Despite good specificity and sensitivity, the virus isolation process takes around three days and is labour intensive and therefore costly. [[Immunofluorescence|Fluorescent antibody testing]] is less sensitive but more rapid than virus isolation, and involves the used of fluoresecently-labelled anti-CSFV antibodies to demonstrate the presence of virus antigen in tissue. A virus antigen capture [[ELISA testing|ELISA]] also established the presence of antigen through the used of specific antibodies, and is useful for screening large numbers of animals.  In the last ten years, it has become possible to detect CSF virus RNA by RT-PCR, usually of the 5' untranslated region. As well as confirming infection, this allows subsequent genetic sequencing and differentiation between isolates.

Although antigen detection methods have largely replaced serology in the diagnosis of acute classical swine fever outbreaks, CSFV serology is important for disease surveillance, particularly in wild boar. A virus neutralisation test is the most sensitive and specific form of CSFV serology, and involved incubation of test sera with a CSFV to neutralise any anti-CSFV antibodies present. However, the virus neutralisation test takes several days, and so an ELISA test may be used when large numbers of samples must be processed.

Although antigen detection methods have largely replaced serology in the diagnosis of acute classical swine fever outbreaks, CSFV serology is important for disease surveillance, particularly in wild boar. A virus neutralisation test is the most sensitive and specific form of CSFV serology, and involved incubation of test sera with a CSFV to neutralise any anti-CSFV antibodies present. However, the virus neutralisation test takes several days, and so an ELISA test may be used when large numbers of samples must be processed.

==Treatment==  

==Treatment==  

Classical swine fever is controlled rather than treated. The policy for control depends on the prevalence of infection in the pig population of a particular country: where CSF is endemic vaccination strategies are commonly used, but outbreaks in the normally CSF-free of the EU are controlled by a slaughter policy. This policy aims for eradication of CSFV by "stamping out" infected and neighbouring herds and contacts, imposing movement restrictions and investigating the source and spread of the outbreak. Equipment, footwear and other fomites must be disinfected, and once a herd is depopulated farm buildings and other areas are throughly cleaned and disinfected. Effective disinfectants include sodium hyrdoxide, formalin and washing soda.

Classical swine fever is controlled rather than treated. The policy for control depends on the prevalence of infection in the pig population of a particular country: where CSF is endemic vaccination strategies are commonly used, but outbreaks in the normally CSF-free countries of the EU are controlled by a slaughter policy. This policy aims for eradication of CSFV by "stamping out" infected and neighbouring herds and contacts, imposing movement restrictions and investigating the source and spread of the outbreak. Equipment, footwear and other fomites must be disinfected, and once a herd is depopulated farm buildings and other areas are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Effective disinfectants include sodium hydroxide, formalin and washing soda.

Vaccination is an effective means of control in areas where classical swine fever is endemic. In the past, the difficulty of distinguishing vaccinated and infected animals preculded the efficient use of a CSF vaccination. Now, however, gene deletion marker vaccines are available, and ELISA tests can be used to differentiate between infected and vaccinated swine.

[[Vaccines|Vaccination]] is an effective means of control in areas where classical swine fever is endemic. In the past, the difficulty of distinguishing vaccinated and infected animals precluded the efficient use of a CSF vaccination. Now, however, gene deletion marker vaccines are available, and ELISA tests can be used to differentiate between infected and vaccinated swine.

Wild boar act as a reservoir of CSF infection, and so control must also be aimed at this population. As well as adequate surveillance, this involves utilising knowledge about factors influencing CSF epidemiology such as wild boar behaviour and population dynamics, and the influence of hunting strategies.  Wild boar vaccination schemes are currently being undertaken in parts of Europe using bait containing marker vaccines.

Wild boar act as a reservoir of CSF infection, and so control must also be aimed at this population. As well as adequate surveillance, this involves utilising knowledge about factors influencing CSF epidemiology such as wild boar behaviour and population dynamics, and the influence of hunting strategies.  Wild boar vaccination schemes are currently being undertaken in parts of Europe using bait containing marker vaccines.

[[Category:Enteritis,_Viral]][[Category:Enteritis,_Ulcerative]]

[[Category:Enteritis,_Viral]][[Category:Enteritis,_Ulcerative]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Lizzie]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Lizzie]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]