SUMMARY This review is an update on laboratory methods currently available and internationally recognized for virological and serological diagnosis of classical swine fever/hog cholera (HC). Rapid antigen detection is achieved by examination of cryostat sections of tissues of animals by direct immunofluorescence (IF). The diagnosis must be confirmed by virus isolation in cell culture. Fetection of antibodies to HC virus is based on serum neutralization tests followed by IF, immunoperoxidase (IPX), or enzyme immunoassays. Monoclonal antibcdies are extremely useful in distinguishing CSF from other pestiviruses which may eventually infect swine. Molecular techniques such as hybridization, polimerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing are not yet routinely used in HC diagnosis.
hog cholera; classical swine fever; diagnosis