Location: Operations
Project Number: 3022-32000-016-023-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 15, 2023
End Date: Sep 14, 2025
Objective:
Secure a BSL3 and BSL3(Ag) facility and associated logistical and ancillary support under the direction of USDA scientists, to perform animal experiments executed by USDA employees with biological materials provided by USDA (e.g. ASF virus and vaccine candidates).
(i) exploration of the role of still uncharacterized virus genes in the process of virus virulence.
(ii) assessment of novel recombinant live attenuated vaccine candidates with DIVA capability.
(iii) assessment of ASF subunit vaccines in inducing protection against the infection with virulent ASFV.
Approach:
(i) USDA scientists have developed a series of recombinant ASFV where a virus gene has been specifically deleted from the genome of the virulent ASFV isolate Georgia 2010.
(ii) Recombinant ASFV harboring DIVA antigenic markers will be provided to Cooperator to be tested in swine. These recombinant viruses will be inoculated in pigs and the presence of protection will be tested at 28 days post vaccination by challenging the animals with the virulent parental virus. Clinical samples (blood and serum) will be taken at day 0, 4, 7, 11, 14 and 21 post vaccination and post challenge. Collected clinical samples will be processed to determine serological and virological profiles. Animals will be evaluated during a 21 day after challenge.
(iii) Experimental subunit vaccines needs to be tested in their protective efficacy in swine. (iii.1) Recombinant subunit vaccines will be provided to Cooperator to be tested in swine. (iii.2) These recombinant subunit vaccines will be inoculated in pigs and the presence of protein and virus specific immune response will be evaluated at different times post inoculation. (iii.3) Presence of protection will be tested at 28 days post vaccination by challenging the animals with the virulent parental virus. (iii.4) Clinical samples (blood and serum) will be taken at day 0, 4, 7, 11, 14 and 21 post vaccination and post challenge. Collected clinical samples will be processed to determine serological and virological profiles.
