Analysis of the cross-protective response induced by African swine fever virus recombinant vaccine ASFV-G-ΔI177L

Recombinant ASFV-G-ΔI177L is a rationally developed African swine fever virus (ASFV) live attenuated vaccine developed by Dr. Manuel Borca and Dr. Douglas Gladue from the Plum Island Animal Disease Centre (PIADC). PIADC belongs to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS). This vaccine has been approved for commercial production under the National Veterinary Company (NAVETCO) by the Government of Vietnam.

The ASFV-G-ΔI177L was specially created by changing the genetic makeup of a very strong version of the African swine fever virus, known as ASFV-G, which was found in Georgia in 2010. The removal of the gene I177L of the virus completely attenuated the virulent strain, allowing it to be used as a live attenuated vaccine (LAV). Scientists have tested the vaccine and found that it is safe and effective in that it protects pigs from getting sick with the African swine fever virus, including the original ASFV-G virus and another related virus found in Vietnam in 2019.

However, it is known that African swine fever viruses consist of many different versions (or genotypes), and usually a vaccine for one form does not necessarily protect against others. Up until now, no systematic analysis of the capacity of this new vaccine to protect againt different ASFV genotypes has been performed.

This project aims to study how well this vaccine can protect against the virus genotypes circulating in Africa that are quite different from the viral strains circulating in Europe and Asia. The project also aims to better understand how the vaccine helps the pig’s immune system fight off the disease. This information will help us to design and use vaccines against ASF more effectively and control the spread of African swine fever (ASF).