Figure 8.

Assessment of the ASFV-Δ7R virulence in swine. Pigs were inoculated intramuscularly (i.m.) with either ten HAD₅₀ of ASFV-ΔMGF-505-7R (n = 7) or ASFV-WT (n = 7). The pigs were monitored daily for 21 days for temperature and mortality. A–E, (A) Survival rates; (B) Daily temperature changes of the pigs; (C) Numbers of viral DNA copies in blood collected at the indicated days postchallenge; (D) The expression level of CXCL9 (E) or IFN-γ in serum at the indicated days postchallenge, determined using ELISA. F, the clinical score of individual pigs infected with the ASFV or ASFV-Δ7R. G, gross pathological changes of the spleen, lungs, and lymph nodes in the two groups of pigs. Severe, enlarged, friable, and dark black appearance of the spleen infected with the ASFV. Mild interstitial edema of the lung and mildly enlarged and red-black appearance of the lymph nodes in pigs infected with the ASFV. H, the levels of antibodies against p30 were determined using an in-house blocking ELISA. I, effects of ASFV-Δ7R on the IRF1 transcription level induced by i.m. inoculation with the parental ASFV or ASFV-Δ7R (ten HAD₅₀ for each pig) for 6 days (n = 3 per group).