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African swine fever (ASF), caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), is a highly contagious and often fatal disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boars. Since its initial identification in Kenya in 1921, ASF has spread globally, resulting in significant economic losses and posing a threat to food security. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, virology, virus-host interactions, advancements in diagnostics, and challenges in vaccine development related to ASFV. Notably, we emphasize the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying viral replication, immune evasion, and pathogenesis, while also discussing recent advancements in structural virology and genotyping. Despite significant advances in diagnostics and vaccine candidates, the unavailability of safe and effective commercial vaccines and specific therapeutics remains a major challenge. Importantly, this review concludes with prospective research directions and control strategies, highlighting the importance of international collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches to mitigate this devastating disease.
Li et al. (Sun,) studied this question.