African swine fever Detection on Field with Antigen Rapid Kit Test

African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most important and complex infectious diseases affecting pigs (Susscrofa). Disease spread can be costly and lead to loss of exports. The presence of asymptomatic carrier pigs illegally breeding and contact between livestock and wild boar (WB) in lack of biosecurity situations are major risk factors that lead to the persistence of ASF in many areas of Sardinia Island, Italy, where the disease has been present since 1978. Important public health programs have been implemented by the Sardinian Region Authority and are characterized by strong measures to eliminate free ranging pigs and incentivize proper practices. Satisfactory results in terms of reducing the number of outbreaks and ASF prevalence have been observed. However, critical points still remain, such as the length of time necessary to obtain diagnostic results for ASF detection in WB killed during the hunting season. After a field evaluation of a commercial serological kit test, which is able to reduce cost and manpower, evaluation of an antigen Pen-Side (INGENASA©) (PS) kit test in the field was also performed to assess the prospective of future combined use. Samples from WB hunted during the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons were obtained. Four hundred animals were tested with the PS kit immediately after the hunt, and blood was collected for virological analysis to screen for the ASF virus. Sensitivity (76.5%) and specificity (98%) of the PS test were higher compared to primary results of the device. The use of the PS test can allow for rapid diagnosis and reduction of unnecessary carcass destruction. The strategy of utilizing combined independent tests (in parallel) and the interpretation of the results in the context of the ASF area is suggested by the authors as a useful tool for conducting regular monitoring during emergency situations, particularly during the final phases of disease eradication.