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

Also known as: '''''CSF — hog cholera — pig plague - CSFV

Classical swine fever is a highly contagious, haemorrhagic disease of swine which is caused by a Flavivirus. Presentation may be acute, sub-acute, chronic or persistent, and the disease is indistinguishable in the field from [[African Swine Fever]]. Acutely, classical swine fever is characterised by severe depression, high fever and superficial and internal haemorrhages, with many cases resulting in death. Depression, anorexia and pyrexia are seen in chronic classical swine fever. Transplacental infection is also possible and results in persistently infected piglets.

Classical swine fever is a highly contagious, haemorrhagic disease of swine which is caused by a [[:Category:Pestiviruses|Pestivirus]] from the family[[:Category:Flaviviridae|Flaviviridae]]. Presentation may be acute, sub-acute, chronic or persistent, and the disease is indistinguishable in the field from [[African Swine Fever]]. Acutely, classical swine fever is characterised by severe depression, high fever and superficial and internal haemorrhages, with many cases resulting in death. Depression, anorexia and pyrexia are seen in chronic classical swine fever. Transplacental infection is also possible and results in persistently infected piglets.

==Aetiology==

==Aetiology==

The causative agent of classical swine fever is a small, enveloped virus of around 40nm diameter. The genome is comprised of single stranded RNA, which is positive sense and contains about 12,300 bases. The sequence of the genome is known, and codes four structural and seven non-structural proteins. The classical swine fever virus is relatively stable in excretions and in fresh meat products including ham, salami and other similar sausages. It is, however, easily inactivated by detergents, common disinfectants and heat.

The causative agent of classical swine fever is a small, enveloped virus of around 40nm diameter. The genome is comprised of single stranded RNA, which is positive sense and contains about 12,300 bases. The sequence of the genome is known, and codes four structural and seven non-structural proteins. The classical swine fever virus is relatively stable in excretions and in fresh meat products including ham, salami and other similar sausages. It is, however, easily inactivated by detergents, common disinfectants and heat.

Classical swine fever virus is a Flavivirus within the [[Pestiviruses|Pestivirus]] genus of the [[:Category:Flaviviridae|Flaviviridae]]. As such, it is closely related to the [[Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus|bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD)]] virus of cattle, and the [[Border Disease Virus|border disease virus]] of sheep.

Classical swine fever virus is closely related to the [[Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus|bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD)]] virus of cattle, and the [[Border Disease Virus|border disease virus]] of sheep.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

 

Diagnosis is made on the basis of history, clinical signs and gross pathological lesions. In Britain, classical swine fever is '''notifiable''' to the local Animal Health Office. Following notification, the State Veterinary Service is responsible for visiting the suspect premises to confirm the diagnosis by laboratory testing.

Diagnosis is made on the basis of history, clinical signs and gross pathological lesions. In Britain, classical swine fever is notifiable to the local Animal Health Office. Following notification, the State Veterinary Service is responsible for visiting the suspect premises to confirm the diagnosis by laboratory testing.

    

    

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

Although the incubation period for classical swine fever is generally less than ten days, in the field it may take up to four weeks for clinical signs to become apparent in a population. Disease severity varies with virulence, immune status and the age of the animal: this means that although acute, chronic and congenital forms of the disease can be appreciated, there is no "classic" disease presentation.

Although the incubation period for classical swine fever is generally less than ten days, in the field it may take up to four weeks for clinical signs to become apparent in a population. Disease severity varies with virulence, immune status and the age of the animal: this means that although acute, chronic and congenital forms of the disease can be appreciated, there is no "classic" disease presentation.

===Pathology===

===Pathology===

In acute classical swine fever, the major pathological change is multiple haemorrhages. This is seen as many purple blotches in the skin, and as sub-capsular bleeding in association with swelling and oedema in all lymph nodes. A "turkey egg" appearance to the kidneys is displayed, with haemorrhage varying from petechiae to ecchymoses. Haemorrhage may also be seen on any mucosal or serosal surface, including the urinary bladder and the larynx and epiglottis. The heart can be affected, and haemorrhage between other muscles is possible. The lungs are congested and haemorrhagic and often show bronchopneumonia, and straw-coloured fluid accumulates in the thoracic and abdominal cavities and the pericardial sac. A non-suppurative encephalitis can also feature.

In acute classical swine fever, the major pathological change is multiple haemorrhages. This is seen as many purple blotches in the skin, and as sub-capsular bleeding in association with swelling and oedema in all lymph nodes. A "turkey egg" appearance to the kidneys is displayed, with haemorrhage varying from petechiae to ecchymoses. Haemorrhage may also be seen on any mucosal or serosal surface, including the urinary bladder and the larynx and epiglottis. The heart can be affected, and haemorrhage between other muscles is possible. The lungs are congested and haemorrhagic and often show bronchopneumonia, and straw-coloured fluid accumulates in the thoracic and abdominal cavities and the pericardial sac. A non-suppurative encephalitis can also feature.

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 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.

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 use 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 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.

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.

[[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.

[[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.

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==Links==

==Links==