African swine fever virus (ASFV) (ASFV)

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large, complex, enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that is the sole member of the Asfarviridae family. It is the causative agent of African swine fever, a devastating hemorrhagic disease in domestic and wild pigs that poses a significant threat to the global swine industry and food security (World Organisation for Animal Health, 2023). The virus particle is characterized by a sophisticated multilayered structure, including an outer envelope, a capsid, an inner membrane, and a nucleoprotein core, which facilitates its entry into host macrophages and monocytes (PubMed: 31619540). ASFV employs a wide array of mechanisms to evade the host immune system, such as inhibiting interferon production and modulating cell death pathways (PubMed: 30249168). While there are currently no globally approved vaccines or specific antiviral drugs, the virus particle and its structural proteins serve as primary targets for the development of entry inhibitors, DNA replication blockers, and immunogenic components for vaccine design (PubMed: 33453133). Research into small molecule inhibitors like genistein and apigenin has shown potential in disrupting the viral life cycle, though therapeutic challenges remain due to the virus's genetic complexity and high mortality rate (PubMed: 25107871).

Other names

African swine fever virus virionASFV particlePestis africana suum

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase activity, disruption of viral entry and uncoating processes, interference with viral protein synthesis, and inhibition of viral topoisomerase II.