African swine fever

OIE Reference Laboratory Reports

Activities in 2010

Name of disease (or topic) for which you are a designated OIE Reference Laboratory: / African swine fever
Address of laboratory: / ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute
Transboundary Animal Diseases Programme
Private Bag X05
Onderstepoort, 0110
South Africa
Tel: / (+27-12) 529. 91.17
Fax: / (+27-12) 529.95.43
E-mail address: /
Website: / www.arc.agric.za
Name of Head of Laboratory (Responsible Official): / Dr RM Dwarka
Name of OIE Reference Expert: / Dr Baratang Alison Lubisi
Name of writer of this report
(if different from above): / Dr RM Dwarka


Part I: Summary of general activities related to the disease

Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute – Transboundary Animal Diseases Programme (ARC- OVI-TADP) provides African swine fever (ASF) diagnostic services to southern African countries and countries in other parts of the continent. ASF related research is also undertaken which includes improving the diagnostic tests for ASF, evaluating the designated ASF control zone in South Africa and investigations into vaccine development for ASF.

1. Test(s) in use/or available for the specified disease/topic at your laboratory

Test / For / Specificity / Total
ELISA / Antibody / Group / 6406
PBM/PLC: pig bone marrow/pig leucocyte cultures / Virus isolation / Group / 11
Immuno-blotting: VP30 based / Antibody / Type / 0

PCR : OIE prescribed diagnostic

/ DNA / Group / 14

Sequencing of ASF samples

/ Molecular Characterisation / Group / 1

2. Production and distribution of diagnostic reagents

Type of reagent / Amount supplied nationally
(including for own use) / Amount supplied to other countries
ASF positive porcine serum / 300 ml / -

Part II: Activities specifically related to the mandate of OIE Reference Laboratories

3.  International harmonisation and standardisation of methods for diagnostic testing or the production and testing of vaccines

Serological ASF proficiency testing for ASF conducted by VLA, Weybridge, UK.

In 2009, 5 sera were tested by the in-house ELISA, which is based on Southern African isolates. The in house ELISA scored all positive sera as positive, although these sera were generated by inoculating pigs with a European strain of ASF. The in-house ELISA scored the 2 negative samples as positive and inconclusive, respectively. The recommendation from VLA was that the cut-off values for the in-house ELISA be reviewed.

During 2010, the TAD programme participated in another serological proficiency panel from VLA. A decision was taken to test the samples using the in-house ELISA as well as a commercial kit viz., Ingezim PPA COMPAC 1.1 PPAK3 kit. The commercial kit detected all positive and negative control sera correctly. The in-house ELISA detected one negative sample correctly but scored a duplicate negative sample as inconclusive.

VII ASF Interlaboratory Comparison Test 2009-2010 (CISA-INIA-Spain)

The laboratory also participated in the 2009 ASF proficiency panels provide by CISA-INIA in Spain. These panels were for serology, virus culture and molecular detection. The feedback received from CISA-INIA was that the ASF final diagnosis on the panel of samples included in the VII ASF ILCT has been given correctly and is in line with the reference laboratory expectations.

4. Preparation and supply of international reference standards for diagnostic tests or vaccines

None.

5. Research and development of new procedures for diagnosis and control

There are no recent research activities for ASF diagnostic methods and control undertaken at TADP.

6. Collection, analysis and dissemination of epizootiological data relevant to international disease control

During the reporting period there were no positive ASF outbreaks samples that were submitted to the laboratory for characterisation

7. Provision of consultant expertise to OIE or to OIE Members

Dr Dwarka visited the Animal Health Laboratory in Reduit, Mauritius during 13-23 March 2010 as part of a FAO TCP ‘Strengthening National Capacity for Management of Pig Health and Production’. The consultancy focussed on evaluating the laboratories and equipment to be used for ASF polymerase chain reactions (PCR).

A second visit was undertaken during 19 July – 1 August 2010 to follow up on the recommendations made during the first mission and to conduct hands-on training of the technical personnel. The technical personnel were declared competent to perform ASF PCRs.

8. Provision of scientific and technical training to personnel from other OIE Members

Dr Aboo Bakar Jauhangeer, a veterinarian from the Animal Health Lab in Reduit, Mauritius visited the ARC-OVI from 20 May to 2 June 2010 to receive training in ASF diagnostic methods as part of the FAO TCP ‘Strengthening National Capacity for Management of Pig Health and Production’.

9. Provision of diagnostic testing facilities to other OIE Members

Country / Species / Sample type / Purpose for testing
Namibia / Domestic pig / Clinical samples / ASF status

10. Organisation of international scientific meetings on behalf of OIE or other international bodies

None.

11. Participation in international scientific collaborative studies

Collaborative project funded by the European Union Framework 7 Project entitled “Evaluating and controlling the risk of African swine fever in the EU”.

12. Publication and dissemination of information relevant to the work of OIE (including list of scientific publications, internet publishing activities, presentations at international conferences)

¡  Presentations at international conferences and meetings

None

¡  Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals

None.

¡  Other communications

None.

13. Inscription of diagnostic kits on the OIE Register

i) Did you participate in expert panels for the validation of candidate kits for inscription on the OIE Register? If yes, for which kits?

There was no participation in validation of candidate kits.

ii) Did you submit to the OIE candidate kits for inscription on the OIE Register? If yes, for which kits?

There was no submission of candidate kits to the OIE.

______

Annual reports of OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, 2010 3