Porcine Health Management

Introduction Several techniques have made diagnostics for PRRSV (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus) easier and cheaper (e.g. oral fluids, blood swabs or pooling samples). However, there are still opportunities for newer strategies to...

Introduction Swine Dysentery (SD) results from infection of the large intestine with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae (B.hyodysenteriae). A commercial vaccine against SD is not available in Europe, but autogenous vaccines may be used. However, there is little scientific evidence for their efficacy.  

Among livestock, piglets are considered the most susceptible species to developing iron deficiency (or anemia). This study investigated the effect of four different iron dosing schemes, which combine intramuscular and oral iron supplementation, on preventing anemia in piglets.  

FTA technology allows safe and practical storage and transportation of biological samples. However, its usefulness must be demonstrated with each new kind of sample. This study aimed to validate the use of FTA cards to detect the VT2e gene of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) in pig oral fluid by qPCR.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae</i> (APP) is the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia. Diagnosis is often done via serological investigations, with slaughterhouse checks as complementary tool. This study compares pleurisy at slaughter with serological response in herds with and without clinical signs of APP.  

Introduction In Europe, modified live vaccines of genotype 1 (MLV1) are commonly used to control PRRSV infection in swine herds. In December 2014, following successive implementation of a PRRS vaccination program with VP-046BIS and DV strains in a farm, a recombinant strain from the 2 vaccines was isolated. In order to assess the virulence of the recombinant strain, we set-up an in vivo study to compare clinical, virological and transmission parameters with the 2 parental MLV1 strains.  

Introduction. Economic losses due to swine influenza (IAV-S) are substantial and a global problem, ranking among the top three major health challenges in the swine industry. Historic control strategies include the use of killed virus (KV) vaccines in breeding females to confer passive immunity to offspring, however effective protection requires KV vaccine and challenge virus to be closely related. Live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) vaccines present an important platform with advantages to stimulate both cell-mediated and mucosal immunity. Boehringer Ingelheim has licensed a bivalent IAV-S (H1N1 and H3N2) LAIV vaccine (Ingelvac ProvenzaTM).  

Introduction Modified live vaccines (MLV) are commonly used to reduce the impact of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) but limited efficacy is achieved in field conditions. We recently showed that maternally-derived neutralizing antibodies (MDNA) impair piglet immune response to vaccination. Here, we evaluated the impact of MDNA on vaccine efficacy against PRRS virus (PRRSV) challenge.  

Introduction Colostrum intake is crucial for piglet survival and a critical point in the health management of swine farms because it is the main known transmission mechanism of maternal derived immunity (MDI). The immunocrit assay has been suggested as a cost effective method to quantitatively evaluate maternal antibodies in piglets after colostrum intake. The objective of this study was to describe the immunocrit values in farms with high health status and good productive performances.

Introduction PRRSV is known to circulate after weaning in unstable pig farms. Having immunity in place when piglets are weaned can protect them from early infections. Due to the effect of maternally derived immunity in newborns, vaccination is usually delayed until immunity vanishes, at 3-4 weeks of age. Since onset of immunity against PRRSV takes at least 4 weeks to develop, animals can have a period of risk for PRRSV infection, in which maternal immunity is no longer acting, and vaccine immunity has not yet developed. Suvaxyn PRRS MLV is the first vaccine licensed in Europe which is able to overcome maternal immunity. 

Introduction: Antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals have come under scrutiny internationally. The Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS) is a national program that combines AMR data...

Vaccination against Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) might be effective to control Salmonella infections at farm level, but may affect the herd’s serological status. The present study investigated the effect of different vaccination strategies against ST on...

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a worrying food-borne zoonotic agent which is highly prevalent in pig farms. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) is a widespread immunosuppressive virus that is suspected of...

Spray dried plasma (SDP) is a functional protein source included in pig feeds due to its beneficial effects on post-weaning performance and survival. The manufacturing process of SDP involves several safety features, but additional safety...