Detection and differentiation of classical swine fever virus strains C and Shimen by high-resolution melt analysis

Differentiation of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) strains is crucial for the development of effective vaccination programs and in epidemiological investigations. Most of current detection methods do not discriminate between wild-type CSFV strains and those used in vaccines. In this study, method involving high-resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of the C and Shimen strains of CSFV was developed. A specific fragment of the NS2 gene was amplified from various CSFV strains and subjected to HRM curve analysis. Analysis of the melt curve profile for the amplicons of each strain allowed the differentiation of CSFV strains in blood samples taken from the field, or from vaccinated commercial flocks. These findings indicate that HRM curve analysis is a rapid and practical technique for discriminating CSFV isolates/strains; it can contribute to epidemiological studies of CSFV and effective control of classical swine fever.