Virucidal activity of disinfectants against African swine fever virus

Introduction. The most effective strategy to control African swine fever is to implement a set of anti-epizootic measures aimed at preventing introduction and spread of the disease pathogen. Currently, there is a wide range of commercially available disinfectants used at the facilities subject to veterinary control. Their effectiveness against African swine fever virus is unknown and is only confirmed by the manufacturers, who do not always provide substantiated evidence.

Objective. The objective of the research is to test virucidal activity of various disinfectants against African swine fever pathogen in the laboratory.

Materials and methods. Twelve samples of disinfectants with different chemical compositions were tested. The first in vitro assessment stage was carried out using suspension method, i.e. working solutions of the tested disinfectants in experimental concentrations and exposure times were added to the liquid-phase virus-containing material. During the second stage, swabs from concrete test plates contaminated with African swine fever virus were tested following treatment of surfaces with the working disinfectant solutions. Each stage was performed in two variants: without organic contamination and with its imitation (application of inactivated bovine serum on the test surface). The samples were tested using virus isolation in a sensitive porcine spleen cell culture. Results were assessed and interpreted in hemadsorption test. The disinfectant sample was considered to exhibit virucidal activity, if no reproduction of African swine fever virus was observed.

Results. Nine out of twelve tested disinfectants demonstrated a virucidal effect against reference African swine fever virus Arm 07 strain (genotype II), when tested on test surfaces. Such results suggest the need to evaluate further the efficacy of various disinfectants against this pathogen.

Conclusion. The fact that such disinfectant products that are incapable of inactivating African swine fever virus under the conditions specified in their instructions are potentially marketed underlines the need to improve regulatory framework in order to ensure effectiveness of general disease prevention and control measures.

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