Novel method for sub‐grouping of genotype II African swine fever viruses based on the intergenic region between the A179L and A137R genes

• Published in: Veterinary medicine and science Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 607 - 609
• Main Authors: Tran, Ha Thi Thanh, Truong, Anh Duc, Dang, Anh Kieu, Ly, Duc Viet, Chu, Nhu Thi, Van Hoang, Tuan, Nguyen, Huyen Thi, Netherton, Christopher L, Dang, Hoang Vu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.03.2022; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: A137R; A179L; African swine fever; African Swine Fever - epidemiology; African Swine Fever Virus - genetics; Animals; Asfarviridae; Binding sites; Conflicts of interest; DNA, Intergenic - genetics; Epidemics; Gene deletion; Genetic markers; Genotype; Genotype & phenotype; Genotypes; Hogs; Insertion; Laboratory animals; Nucleotide sequence; Original; Outbreaks; Phylogeny; PIGS; Sequence analysis; Sequence Analysis, DNA - veterinary; Software; sub‐grouping; Sus scrofa - genetics; Swine; Swine Diseases; Vietnam; Viral diseases; Viruses; Writing; Vietnam; China; A179L; Vietnam; African swine fever; A137R; sub-grouping
• ISSN: 2053-1095; 2053-1095
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.702

Background African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs of all ages. African swine fever virus (ASFV) has spread rapidly through Eastern and Southeastern Asia first appearing in Vietnam in 2019. Objectives Molecular typing of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in Vietnam has identified two principal variants circulating based on the sequencing of the intergenic region (IRG) between the I73R and I329L genes. Identification of additional genetic markers would enable higher resolution tracing of outbreaks within the country. Methods Sequence analysis suggested the IRG between the A179L and A137R genes may also exhibit variability, PCR primers were designed and samples from Vietnam were subject to Sanger sequencing. Results We developed a novel method for sub‐grouping of ASFV based on the IRG between the A179L and A137R genes of ASFV. Our results demonstrated that the finding of the insertion or deletion of an 11‐ nucleotide sequence (GATACAATTGT) between the A179L‐A137R genes. Conclusions The sub‐grouping method may provide useful insights into the evolution of genotype II ASFV as well as providing evidence of a relationship between geographically separated outbreaks. We report the development of a novel method for sub‐grouping genotype II African swine fever virus based on the intergenic region between the A179L and A137R genes. We have identified an insertion or deletion of an 11‐nucleotide sequence that may help analysis of the evolution and relationships between geographically separated outbreaks.