Complement-mediated lysis of African swine fever virus-infected cells

Using an homologous pig system, th lysis of African swine fever virus-infected cells by antibody and complement was investigated. The optimal conditions necessary for lysis are described, and it was found that the system was unique amongst reported virus infections in that infected cells were lysed by the classical complement pathway and not the alternative pathway. Development of antibody capable of initiating complement-mediated lysis was relatively late in the infected pig, although functional in vitro assays suggested that it might act as a significant effector mechanism. Investigations of sera taken from pigs infected with varying African swine fever isolates indicate that the assay may provide a means of discriminating between strains.