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. 2025 Jun 9;69(2):177-181.
doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2025-0031. eCollection 2025 Jun.

Serological survey and associated risk factors of Aujeszky's disease virus in wild boar from south and central Poland

Anna Didkowska  1 , Daniel Klich  2 , Katarzyna Matusik  1 , Ewelina Kwiecień  3 , Wiktoria Tchórz  1 , Mirosław Welz  4 , Bartosz Skibniewski  1 , Piotr Kwieciński  5 , Michał Mierkiewicz  6 , Krzysztof Anusz  1
Affiliations

Serological survey and associated risk factors of Aujeszky's disease virus in wild boar from south and central Poland

Anna Didkowska et al. J Vet Res. .

Abstract

Introduction: Aujeszky's disease is caused by suid herpesvirus-1, also called Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV). The main reservoir host is the wild boar (Sus scrofa). The last data about ADV seroprevalence in wild boar in Poland came from over 10 years ago. There is a gap in knowledge about the current epidemiological situation. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise ADV seroprevalence and risk factors in hunted wild boar in south and central Poland.

Material and methods: Between February and June 2024, blood samples were collected from 320 wild boar (143 females and 177 males). Total antibodies to ADV were detected by a commercial indirect ELISA kit. The results were statistically analysed.

Results: Antibodies against ADV were detected in serum samples from 103/320 animals (32.19%). The wild boars were more likely to be ADV seropositive with age, but the uncertainty of this prediction increased with age. Sex and location of animals did not influence ADV seroprevalence.

Conclusion: The study revealed that the wild boar is still an important ADV reservoir in Poland. Even though Poland has ADV-free status, the results indicate that the situation in wild boar should be monitored. There is the risk of spillover of ADV from wild boar to domestic pig herds, potentially interfering with the control programme in Poland. The ADV seroprevalence in wild boar population shows not only a risk of the virus' reintroduction into pig herds but also a potential threat to other domestic and wild mammals.

Keywords: Aujeszky’s disease virus; Europe; risk factors; wildlife.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interests Statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this article.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Number of wild boars analysed by voivodeship in Poland
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Probability of Aujeszky’s disease virus antibody presence in wild boar in given (based on the highest ranked model). For AGE: β = 0.32, standard error (SE) = 0.16, χ2 = 4.14, P-value = 0.042. For intercept: β = -1.27, SE = 0.29, χ2 = 19.29, P-value < 0.001)
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