engleski

Classical swine fever laboratory diagnostics: Lessons learned in Croatia

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic pigs and wild boars whose appearance causes great economic losses including a negative social impact. Early recognition of the disease and detection of its causative agent can significantly decrease its spread and therefore economical losses. In the Republic of Croatia (RH) the diagnosis of CSF is regulated by the Directive for the diagnosis of classical swine fever, the Diagnostic Manual (Official Gazzette 16. from 2005), which is based on the methods recommended by EU through the Commission Decision, Diagnostic Manual establishing diagnostic procedures, sampling methods and criteria for evaluation of the laboratory tests for the confirmation of classical swine fever (Decision 2002/106/EC) and the World Organization for Animal Health (Office international des epizooties, OIE). From 2005, in RH the approach in controlling CSF has altered. The main changes were in regards to banning preventive vaccination, while the other dominant measures remained (such as stamping out, zoning followed by thorough clinical and laboratory monitoring and limitation of transportation of swine within the infected area). These changes regarding the control policies of CSF have influenced the basis for its diagnosis, as well. Therefore, prior to the banning of vaccination it was not possible to diagnose CSF by detection of specific antibodies. Furthermore, the attenuated CSF virus strain China that was used for vaccine production could interfere with the specificity and sensitivity of laboratory test results. After banning vaccination, the first case of CSF was recorded in 2006. The last case of viral detection dates from March 2008. However, sporadic cases of CSF have been recognized even before banning the preventive vaccination. This could be a result of some faults within the vaccination program, a low percentage of vaccinated pigs, especially in small pig holdings and a possible virus circulation within the pig population that was ‘’hidden’’ by systemic vaccination. This study presents laboratory test results and lessons learned in the diagnosis of CSF in domestic pigs and wild boars in the period when systemic vaccination was carried out and after 2005 when it was banned.

classical swine fever; Republic of Croatia; laboratory diagnosis; vaccination.

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