CanSpot ASF surveillance testing – reminder for swine veterinarians

Josepha DeLay, Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON

AHL Newsletter 2021;25(2):16.

The Animal Health Laboratory continues to test appropriate swine cases under the CanSpot ASF surveillance program.  Eligible cases are those for which African Swine Fever is not a differential diagnosis, but have features of specific endemic diseases that could potentially mask more definitive ASF lesions or clinical signs. 

To qualify for surveillance testing, cases must have herd location information available (PID or physical address); have appropriate samples available for testing; and meet specific disease criteria listed below. 

For cases meeting these criteria, AHL pathologists communicate with and obtain permission from submitting veterinarians prior to surveillance testing.  Veterinarians may also initiate testing through communication with the case pathologist or diagnostician.

To facilitate the success of this important ASF surveillance tool, veterinarians can help by:

• Including required fresh tissue samples (i.e. spleen) with field postmortem cases sent to the lab
• Including a thorough clinical history with each case
• Ensuring that the herd PID or physical address is included
• Responding to pathologists’ requests for permission for surveillance testing OR provide a signed agreement permitting testing of all eligible cases

Appropriate samples for CanSpot testing:

• spleen, tonsil, kidney, lymph node, terminal ileum, serum

Clinicopathological presentations eligible for CanSpot ASF testing:

1. Septicemia and / or multiorgan hemorrhage such as caused by E. rhusiopathiae; S. suis; S. zooepidermicus; A. suis; S. Cholerasuis; other bacteria
2. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRS), especially when it causes cyanotic skin
3. Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) and vasculitis that can be caused by PCV2, PCV3, and other pathogens
4. Hemorrhagic diarrhea / necrotizing enterocolitis such as caused by Salmonella spp.;                    L. intracellularis; B. hyodysenteriae; B. hampsonii
5. Fibrinous pleuritis / pericarditis / hydropericardium such as caused by H. parasuis (now
   G. parasuis), S. suis
6. Mulberry heart disease
7. Splenic torsion
8. Abortion above historical trend for herd

Please contact the AHL or your case pathologist with any questions about the CanSpot ASF program. Thank you for contributing to enhanced ASF surveillance.   AHL

See also: https://www.uoguelph.ca/ahl/ontario-rolls-out-canspot-asf-enhanced-surveillance-pilot