Kaitlyn Blundon, University of Guelph

Dr. Ray Lu, Dr. Sarah Wootton, Kaitlyn Blundon

Breaking & Entering

African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a highly transmissible, environmentally stable virus, approaching 100% fatality in infected swine. It has caused epidemics in multiple countries worldwide; and since 2018 twenty countries have identified ASFV presence. Many vectors in North America would allow for rapid transmission including the presence of reservoir species. If found in Canada, it is expected to cost billions of dollars to manage. Currently, the main preventative measure is biosecurity. One live attenuated vaccine (LAV) has been developed and approved for use in Southeastern Asian countries where there is an active outbreak. However, there is worry about reversion to pathogenicity, therefore use of this vaccine is highly regulated. Other trials have tested different vaccine types such as whole inactivated, recombinant, subunit, etc. However, no other type has demonstrated a protective titer. Therefore, this research looks to investigate ASFV proteins inserted into a pseudo-lentivirus and test susceptibility of immortalized swine macrophage cells. Upon conformation of infectivity, CRISPR whole genome knockout (KO) will be conducted in fresh cells, followed by another infection. Any cells demonstrating resistance will have their KO gene identified, and further testing will be conducted. Currently, the three ASFV proteins selected are p30, p72, and CD2v. If these demonstrate lack of infectivity, lentiviruses will be prepared with multiple proteins expressed in them, or other ASFV proteins will be investigated. Overall, this research aims to identify target genes on host cells so further investigation can be done on other methods in prevention of spread of ASFV.