Identification of diagnostic methods for African swine fever: a systematic literature review

Abstract

This review emphasizes the urgent need for effective diagnostic strategies for African swine fever (ASF), a serious disease affecting pig populations worldwide. The aim of the review is to analyze the existing research on ASF diagnostics through a comprehensive literature review, focusing on different diagnostic approaches, including clinical assessments, PCR tests, ELISA, rapid tests and epidemiological models. It examines their sensitivity, specificity and overall performance, addressing challenges such as the varying sensitivity of tests and cross-reactivity. The review highlights both the strengths and limitations of current methods and suggests areas for improvement and standardization. Recommendations are made for future research and the development of innovative diagnostic tools to improve ASF surveillance and control. This study makes a practical contribution by providing a detailed assessment of ASF diagnostic methods from which veterinary scientists and practitioners can benefit. Theoretical contributions include the identification of gaps in ASF diagnostics and the refinement of discussions on diagnostic accuracy and reliability. These findings are consistent with the journal’s focus on infectious diseases and veterinary research and support progress in veterinary medicine and animal welfare.