[Genetic typing of German isolates of classical swine fever virus]

During the last decade several outbreaks of classical swine fever (CSF) occurred in Germany in domestic pigs and in wild boar, respectively. Two major epidemics which also affected other EU Member States were recorded. To support epidemiological investigations genetic typing was applied and virus isolates originating from different outbreaks in Germany were assigned to groups and virus types. Two genomic regions were selected for the phylogenetic analysis, namely 150 nucleotides from the 5' non-translated region (5'-NTR) and 190 nucleotides from the E2 glycoprotein gene. All German CSF virus isolates of the nineties (Group 2) were distinct from former reference strains (Group 1). Within Group 2 both genomic regions allowed to distinguish three subgroups, namely 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. Within subgroup 2.3 five virus types could be discriminated using the 5'-NTR sequences. These are 2.3*Uelzen and 2.3*Spreda, mainly with isolates from Lower Saxony, as well as 2.3*Rostock, 2.3*Güstrow and 2.3*Spante, mainly with isolates from Eastern Germany. Analysis of the E2 gene fragment allowed a better discrimination between single isolates, but only two virus types could be defined: 2.3*MV/BB, comprising the isolates from Eastern Germany, and 2.3*NI, with the isolates from Lower Saxony. Genetic typing allowed to discriminate between isolates involved in different CSF epidemics, and was useful for tracing the origin and spread of CSF viruses. Due to the close relationship between German CSF virus isolates, epidemiological data are a prerequisite for the interpretation of the results obtained by genetic typing. In addition, at least both genomic regions suggested here should be analysed to determine the identity of a new isolate.