Diagnostic sensitivity of porcine biological samples for detecting African swine fever virus infection after natural consumption in feed and liquid.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a global threat to swine production and sustainable pork supply. Without a commercially available vaccine, prevention of ASFV entry and spread is reliant on biosecurity and early detection of infection. Although ASFV ingestion in swill or feed by naïve pigs is a likely route of initial introduction, controlled experimental studies rarely utilize natural consumption as the infection route. In the current study, we utilized biological samples collected from pigs 5 days after natural consumption of ASFV in feed and liquid to assess diagnostic sensitivity for early detection of virus infection. Biological samples (serum, spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, and faeces) were assessed for the presence of ASFV using quantitative PCR and virus isolation. Statistical methods modelled the detection sensitivity of each sample type with each diagnostic assay in individual samples. Our results provide important information that can be incorporated into ASFV surveillance programs.