STUDY OF ANTIBODIES SERO-PREVALENCE OF CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER VIRUS IN PIGS IN ALBANIA

Classical swine fever (CSF) is one of the diseases that have caused major economic damages during the last decades. Although considerable progress has been made in the eradication and prevention of the disease, the threat for an epidemic still exists. Eradication measures in Albania are based on stamping-out in case disease is suspected and confirmed on pig holdings. Vaccination with “conventional” live attenuated vaccine is used as an additional tool to eradicate the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate sero-prevalence against CSF virus in domestic pigs. To realize it 1000 blood samples were collected, from 16 regions. These sapmles were tested by ELISA Ab (Prio - Check CSFV 2.0) for detection of antibodies against CSF virus E2 glycoprotein in serum. Control aimed rural areas, without excluding concentrated swine growth complexes. Testing showed presence of specific antibodies against CSFV in 176 (17,6%) of serum samples. To evaluate this positivity is necessary a thorough analysis, taking in consideration the vaccination used in different parts of our country, as a measure to control the disease. Detection of antibodies does not necessarily mean that the animal is infected. Virus Neutralization Test (VNT) for CSFV antibodies is considered Gold Standard, and is usually carried out in parallel with other pest viruses. To achieve this, 12 samples whith highest levels of antibodies against CSFV were sent for confirmation to EU Reference Laboratory for CSF, Hannover, Germany.