African Swine Fever Virus Antigen Test Card (Colloidal Gold Method)

Target and Hazard: African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a double-stranded DNA virus of the family Asfarviridae that is highly resistant in the environment and can survive for long periods in blood, tissues, meat products and contaminated materials, so slaughter, processing, transport and swill feeding can all form links in the transmission chain. Infected pigs develop high fever, cyanosis, vomiting and bloody diarrhoea, mortality in the acute form approaches 100%, and no safe and effective vaccine is currently available. The disease is a Class I animal disease in China: once confirmed it requires quarantine and stamping-out, directly affecting pork supply and prices.

Significance of Testing: This card detects ASFV antigen in blood and tissues and is positioned for immediate screening in trade and grassroots settings: slaughter inspection, movement checks, carcass disposal sites, wet markets and cold stores, and door-to-door investigation by primary veterinary stations. Samples can be taken and results obtained on the spot without laboratory facilities, stopping virus-carrying pigs and products from moving further. A positive result must be reported immediately in accordance with national regulations and submitted to the laboratory for confirmation by real-time quantitative PCR; this card is a screening tool and not the basis for a definitive diagnosis.

Principle: Colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (double-antibody sandwich): ASFV antigen in the sample binds to gold-labelled antibody, migrates along the nitrocellulose membrane and is captured by the specific antibody on the test line (T), producing a visible line; the control line (C) confirms reagent and procedure validity.

Performance and Applications: No instrument or cold chain required; whole blood, serum, plasma or spleen, lymph node and tonsil homogenate; visual reading in 15–20 minutes; store and ship at 2–30 °C, shelf life 18 months. Suitable for rapid on-site screening in slaughterhouses, at movement checkpoints, carcass disposal sites, primary veterinary stations and commercial pig farms. Method: colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (double-antibody sandwich) | Samples: whole blood, serum, plasma, spleen/lymph node/tonsil homogenate | Time to result: 15–20 min | Reading: visual assessment of T/C lines — a coloured T line indicates a positive result, C line is the procedural control | Format: tests/box (as stated on the label) | Storage: 2–30 °C, cool and dry; shelf life 18 months | Note: sensitivity, specificity, limit of detection, intra-/inter-assay CV and agreement with RT-PCR/virus isolation are subject to our internal QC report.