Classical swine fever: Pathogenesis and prevention

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic pigs, wild boar and feral pigs. In Europe, the wild boar population is an important reservoir for the virus, and represents a source for reintroduction of the disease in domestic pigs. It is a listed disease by world Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) infection of pigs causes disease courses from life-threatening to asymptomatic, depending on the virulence of the virus strain and the immunocompetence of the host. The disease is characterized by acute, subacute, chronic, late onset, or in apparent course, depending on a variety of viral and host factors of which the age of the animals, the virulence of the virus and the time of infection (pre- or post-natal) are of greatest importance. At present, live-attenuated vaccines are routinely used. These are often based on either the ‘Chinese’ (C) strain, on the cell culture adapted Japanese guinea-pig exaltation-negative (GPE−) strain or on the French cell culture adapted Thiverval strain. Massive vaccination with live attenuated vaccines, such as C-strain has been implemented routinely as a major control strategy.