Porcine Classical Swine Fever Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Classical Swine Fever (CSF), also known as hog cholera, is a highly contagious, systemic viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boar. It is caused by the Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV), a member of the genus Pestivirus within the family Flaviviridae. CSF is a WOAH-notifiable disease with significant economic impact and trade implications. The United States has been CSF-free since 1976, but the disease remains endemic in parts of Asia, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and sporadically in Africa.

Etiology

Virus Characteristics

Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV) is a small, enveloped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus with a genome of approximately 12.3 kb. The virus belongs to the genus Pestivirus and is closely related to Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) and Border Disease Virus (BDV) of sheep. This antigenic relationship has important diagnostic implications.

CSFV Classification and Properties

Epidemiology and Transmission

Susceptible Hosts

CSF affects only members of the Suidae family: domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), warthogs, and bushpigs. All ages are susceptible, but clinical severity is often age-dependent with young pigs showing more severe disease.