Bernard and colleagues (2025) propose a deep analysis of the literature from the 1960s dealing with experimental studies on the vector competence of Ornithodoros ticks, which are involved in the transmission of African swine fever virus (ASFV). 

They focused their analyses on 39 experimental designs and protocols that could influence the data obtained, interpretation and therefore the conclusions drawn, with major implications for knowledge of the epidemiology of ASFV. This meta-analysis is based on a total of 10 tick species associated with 38 virus strains, resulting in 51 tick-virus associations. 

From their work, the authors formulate several recommendations, such as (i) using late nymphs or adult ticks from a laboratory tick colony to increase the volume of blood uptake, (ii) using blood meal instead of hemocoel infection to mimic exposure, (iii) preferring blood from viremic pigs or blood with a high viral load to ensure sufficient viral load, (iv) waiting 2 months after challenge to assess viral DNA and/or using RT q-PCR to detect active infection by assessing ASFV gene expression. 

Overall, the authors advocate for a standardization of protocol designs by laboratories to reduce the potential risk of bias.

This article represents an important progress in the field, and will certainly prove useful to the academic community working on this highly relevant pest. This is why I was glad to recommend this preprint to PCI Infections.

References

Bernard J., Madeira, S., Otte, J., Boinas, F., Le Potier, M.-F., Vial, L., Jourdan-Pineau, H. (2025) Experimental design impacts the vector competence of Ornithodoros ticks for African swine fever virus: a meta-analysis of published evaluations. bioRxiv, ver.5 peer-reviewed and recommended by PCI Infections https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.11.10.566648