Productivity parameters, antimicrobial consumption, and prevalence of enteric pathogens before and after intramuscular vaccination against Lawsonia intracellularis in naturally infected Danish weaner and finisher pig herds.

Abstract

In Danish pig production, gastro-intestinal diseases account for most of the antimicrobials (AM) used in growing pigs. Diarrhoea is most frequently caused by Lawsonia intracellularis (LI), Brachyspira pilosicoli (BP), E coli fimbria type F4 (F4) and E. coli fimbria type F18 (F18). With a new LI vaccine available from 2019, it was relevant to investigate the effect of this vaccine in a Danish field study including both weaner and finisher sites. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of Porcilis® Lawsonia Vet. in naturally LI-infected pig herds by comparing of productivity parameters, AM consumption and dynamics of enteric pathogens over two 6-months periods before and after LI vaccination. Further, faecal sock samples were collected from each site before and after vaccination and analysed by qPCR for excretion levels of LI, BP, F18 and F4. In total, 28 weaner and 41 finisher sites were included in the study. Vaccination reduced Feed Conversion Ratio by 0.12 Feed Unit/kg (p=0.029) and 0.08 Feed Unit/kg (p=0.005) in weaners and finishers, respectively. Increased Average Daily Weight Gain of 45.6 gr./day (p< 0.001) was found in the finishers. Mortality risk fell by 8.8% in weaners (RR = 0.912; p< 0.001). AM prescriptions for oral group treatments were reduced by 38.8% active compound/kg pig produced (p=0.005) or 33.3% Weighted Animal Daily Doses per 100 animals per day in finishers (p=0.004). LI prevalence was reduced in weaners and finishers (both p <0.001) and BP prevalence was reduced in finishers (p=0.043). Mean excretion levels of LI and BP decreased at weaner sites (-1.32 and -1.02log(10) copies/gr faeces, respectively; both p< 0.001) and at finisher sites (-1.04 and -1.16log(10) copies/gr faeces, respectively; both p< 0.001). Prevalence and excretion levels of F18 and F4 were unaffected by LI vaccination. In conclusion, vaccination against LI using Porcilis® Lawsonia Vet. improved productivity parameters, cut AM consumption, and reduced prevalence and excretion levels of LI and BP in naturally LI-infected pig herds.