Introduction

Asfarviridae receives it's name from African Swine Fever virus, which is derived from any of this family of viruses. ASF is a serious exotic virus that should not be confused with Classical Swine Fever.

Morphology

• Large, enveloped, icosahedral, cytoplasmic DNA virus

Virulence and Pathogenesis

• Infects either upper respiratory tract or skin via ticks
• Enters bloodstream in monocytes
• Reaches viscera and bone marrow within days
• Induces a clotting defect and hemolysis in red blood cells
• Also affects lymphocytes:
  • Infects Th cells and causes them not to produce B-stimulating cytokines
  • Antigen-stimulated B-cells undergo apoptosis rather than producing antibody
• General cell signal transduction is blocked, decreasing non-specific immunity