Diagnosis of classical swine fever infection in wild boar: a comparison ofdifferent laboratory methods.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two commercially available ELISAs for routine diagnosis of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) in wild boar. For this, 222 tissue samples from wild boar were tested in the ELISAs and the r esults were compared to those obtained using standard methods. First, froze n spleen sections were examined by direct immunofluorescence, and organ sus pensions were prepared and tested for CSFV antigen samples weresimultaneous ly examined with the Chekit-ELISA (Dr. Bommeli AG) and the Herd-Chek-ELISA (IDEXX). From the 222 organ suspensions examinded in cell culture 102 were positive for CSFV, while no virus could be isolated from the remaining 120 samples. Taking virus isolation as a standard, the Chekit-ELISAs showed a s ensitivity of 97 %, and the Herd-Chek-ELISA of 72,5 %. Both ELISAs revealed high specificities ranging between 99 and 100 %. No correlation was found between false negative results obtained in one or in both of the ELISAs wit h the positive findings in the immunofluorescence test and in the PLA, nor with the clinical reports. Due to the fact that a big number of samples can be processed in a short time with accurate results, the Chekit-ELISA may b e considered useful for routine testing of wild boar samples for CSFV.