Use of an inactivated vaccine for prevention of parvovirus-induced reproductive failure in gilts

Gilts from dams that had been inoculated with inactivated porcine parvovirus (PPV) vaccine before breeding became seronegative to PPV by 26 weeks of age. Vaccination of these gilts with inactivated PPV vaccine at 32 weeks of age resulted in an antibody response that peaked at about 2 weeks after vaccination, with -log10 mean hemagglutination inhibiting (HI) antibody titers of less than 2. In the first-year group (82 gilts), HI titers gradually decreased, 20% of the gilts being seronegative by 6 to 7 weeks after vaccination and 75% being seronegative by 16 weeks after vaccination. In the second-year group, 93 gilts were infected naturally by a field strain of PPV at about 11 weeks after single vaccination with inactivated PPV. Additionally, in the second year, 20 vaccinated and 6 nonvaccinated gilts were immune-challenged with virulent PPV at 10 to 12 weeks after vaccination. Neither field nor challenge PPV infection of vaccinated pregnant gilts caused reproductive failure, even though some of the gilts became seronegative for PPV before challenge. Our findings suggest that single vaccination of gilts with inactivated PPV vaccine should give adequate protection from PPV-induced reproductive failure, even though serum HI titers decrease to an undetectable level shortly before PPV infection.     

The pattern of endemic parvovirus infection in four pig herds

Serological surveys were conducted on the gilts and adult sows in 4 herds endemically infected with porcine parvovirus. The study assessed the influence of the type of management of breeders on the spread of virus infection and the influence of endemic parvovirus infection on reproductive parameters of the herd. The practice of holding gilts and sows in groups did not reliably promote infection or maintain a 100% level of active immunity amongst adult sows in 2 of 3 group husbandry herds. In the 4 herds, the prevalence of adult sows (greater than 12 months) with active immune haemagglutination inhibition titres (greater than or equal to 256) ranged between 44% and 100%, while between 0% and 100% of gilts (6 to 12 months of age) had active immune titres. Fully susceptible gilts older than 9 months of age held in groups, failed to become infected by 12 months of age on farms endemically infected with PPV. In 2 herds a continued low infection rate of gilts resulted in increasing the potential of breeding animals becoming susceptible to parvovirus infection as infected sows were replaced by noninfected gilts. In both herds, epidemics of parvovirus infection followed, which were characterised by an increase in reproductive failure. Parvovirus infection during the first 70 days of pregnancy reduced the average number of piglets born alive per litter by 1.6 piglets (p less than 0.05). This was due to the combined effect of more piglets being born dead per litter and an overall reduction in litter size.     

Vaccination Against Porcine Parvovirus Infection

Of 13 gilts 7 were vaccinated twice at an interval of 3 weeks with an inactivated vaccine against porcine parvovirus (PPV) infection, while the 6 nonvaccinated gilts served as controls. Starting after the 1st vaccination the gilts were bred and, after about 40 days of gestation, challenged intravenously with virulent PPV. The vaccinated gilts produced an antibody respons after the 1st and 2nd vaccination compatible with a primary and a secondary immune response, respectively. The nonvaccinated gilts remained low-titered or PPV antibody negative until after challenge. The gilts were killed after about 90 days of gestation, and their litters were examined. All of 53 fetuses from the vaccinated gilts were alive, and infection with PPV could not be demonstrated. Conversely, 50 of 65 fetuses from the non-vaccinated gilts were infected with PPV, and 43 were dead.In a field study comprising 2 herds, PPV seronegative or lowtitered gilts were vaccinated before mating. There were no obvious signs of reproductive disorders in the 2 herds during the vaccination trials, and the reproductive performance of vaccinated gilts did not differ significantly from that of non-vaccinated gilts.     

Development of a vaccine preventing parvovirus-induced reproductive failure in pigs

SUMMARY An inactivated porcine parvovirus (PPV) vaccine for the prevention of PPV-induced reproductive failure in pigs was developed, using virus grown in cell culture, inactivated with beta-propiolactone and adjuvanted with aluminium hydroxide. The vaccine was tested for safety by subcutaneous injection into pregnant gilts. There were no signs of abnormal reactions nor evidence of PPV infection in the gilts or their foetuses when they were sacrificed 6 weeks after vaccination. To demonstrate that the vaccine was immunogenic, pigs were immunised either once or twice with 4 weeks between doses. Resulting antibody titres (haemagglutination inhibition — HAI) ranged from < 8 to 64 (geometric mean of 30) after one dose of vaccine, and from 128 to 512 (geometric mean 256) after two doses. To demonstrate that the vaccine was protective, antibody-negative gilts were vaccinated twice, with 4 weeks between doses, joined after the second dose, and were then infected with virulent PPV 40 to 50 days after joining. In litters from 10 vaccinated gilts, none of 93 foetuses showed evidence of PPV infection. In contrast, in litters from two unvaccinated gilts, all 13 foetuses showed evidence of PPV infection and 10 of these were mummified. The average number of live piglets per litter was 9.2 from vaccinated gilts and 1.5 from unvaccinated gilts. The vaccine was therefore considered to be effective in preventing PPV reproductive failure in susceptible gilts.     

High Porcine Parvovirus Antibodies in Sow Herds: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) is widespread among swine. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of loosely housed sow herds in Finland with at least one animal with high (infection level) PPV antibodies and to gather basic knowledge about vaccination practices. In addition, selected factors associated with high antibody levels found in sows were examined. Altogether, 247 animals were sampled in 21 randomly chosen loosely housed sow herds. Samples were analysed with the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. PPV proved to be common; in 17 farms (81%) at least one animal had a high titre (>1 : 512), and 44% of all animals sampled had a high titre. The vaccination programmes had many shortcomings. In the generalised estimation equations (GEE) population-averaged model developed, the factors found to have a significant (p < or = 0.05) effect on HI titres were herd size, parity of two or greater and storage of the vaccine vial after use. Non-returning rate, re-breeding interval and litter size did not differ between herds with no high HI titres (n = 4) and those with at least one high HI titre (n = 17).     

Seroprevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome,Aujeszky’s disease,and porcine parvovirus in replacement gilts in Thailand

The present study investigated the seroprevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV), and porcine parvovirus (PPV) in replacement gilts from selected five swine herds in Thailand. The study consisted of three parts. First, a retrospective data analysis on the seroprevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and ADV glycoprotein I (gI) in gilts, sows, boars, nursery, and fattening pigs in five herds (n = 7,030). Second, a cross-sectional study on seroprevalence of PRRSV, ADV, and PPV (n = 200) in replacement gilts. Last, the seroprevalence of PRRSV, ADV, and PPV in gilts culled due to reproductive failure (n = 166). Across the herds, the seroprevalence of PRRSV and ADV was 79.3% and 5.3%, respectively. The cross-sectional study revealed that 87.5%, 4.0%, and 99.0% of the replacement gilts were infected with PRRSV, ADV, and PPV, respectively. In the gilts culled due to reproductive failure, the seroprevalence of PRRSV, ADV, and PPV was 73.5%, 28.3%, and 86.0%, respectively. Of these culled gilts, 75.5% had been infected with at least two viruses and 18.9% had been infected with all three viruses. It could be concluded that most of the replacement gilts were exposed to PRRSV (84%), PPV (97%), and ADV (4%) before entering the breeding house. PPV was an enzootic disease among the selected herds. The prevalence of ADV was higher in gilts culled due to reproductive disturbance than in the healthy gilts.     

Presence of porcine parvovirus in sera from pigs is independent of antibody titers

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) is a widespread DNA virus that causes reproductive failure in swine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of PPV in sera of nursery piglets (healthy n = 191 and wasting n = 132) and regularly vaccinated sows (with different parity rank [PR] n = 129), collected from different herds. Altogether, 452 animals were sampled in 27 herds owned by five companies. All sera were analyzed for the presence of PPV DNA by nested-PCR. The samples from sows were in addition tested for the presence of antibodies by Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI). PPV DNA was detected in healthy piglets (15.7%), wasting piglets (18.2%) and sows (17.8%). 25 herds had at least one positive sample and four companies had positive animals. The serology revealed that 84.7% of the sows had detectable antibodies and the fourth PR sows had the highest mean PPV antibody titers. Thirteen sows (19.1%) were found to be positive for DNA detection in the presence of high levels of antibody titers (> 512). This finding indicates that PPV DNA can be detected in different swine production categories irrespective of antibody titers.     

Efficacy of an inactivated virus vaccine for prevention of porcine parvovirus-induced reproductive failure.

Gilts vaccinated IM either once (4 gilts) or twice (2 gilts) with an acetylethyleneimine-inactivated porcine parvovirus (PPV) vaccine before they were bred were subsequently exposed intranasally and orally to virulent PPV at about the 40th day of gestation (from 37 to 43 days). At 2 weeks after vaccination, all had hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) titers for PPV (from 20 to 80) which decreased by the time the immunity was challenged with virulent virus (from 10 to 40), but increased thereafter (from 160 to 1,280). Titers of singly and doubly vaccinated gilts were similar throughout the experiment. The gilts were killed at about the 84th day of gestation (from 80 to 87 days), and their litters were examined. Litters were comprised of 68 live fetuses and 1 dead fetus (7 to 14 fetuses/litter). Neither viral antigen, PPV, nor homologous HI antibody was found in any of the fetuses. In addition, 4 gilts were kept in contact with the vaccinated gilts and were treated similarly except for vaccination. These 4 gilts remained free of HI antibody until after they were exposed to virulent PPV during gestation. At the time the gilts were killed the titers were 1,280 to 2,560. Their litters were comprised of 11 live fetuses and 26 dead fetuses (8 to 11 fetuses/litter). Virus was isolated from fetuses of all litters. Viral antigen was found in 24 of the dead fetuses and 10 of the live fetuses. All infected live fetuses also had HI antibody for PPV. The 2 boars used to breed vaccinated and nonvaccinated gilts (usually each gilt was bred to each of the 2 boars), but not exposed to virulent PPV, remained free of HI antibody for PPV.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF PORCINE PARVOVIRUS

Evidence presented suggests that porcine parvovirus is highly stable and infective. Introduction of virus to susceptible herds results in 100% infection rate within the following 3 months. Active immunity is associated with high persistent levels of haemagglutination-inhibitating (HI) antibody (> 256), piglets suckling immune sows acquiring HI titres between 10,000 and 40,000. Loss of passive immunity, measured by HI, occurs in a majority of pigs between 14 and 26 weeks of age (mean 21 weeks), whilst an average of 25% (2–47%) of pigs lose HI titres between 26 and 36 weeks of age. Susceptibility to challenge with virus does not occur until 3–5 weeks following loss of HI titres. In endemically infected herds 98–100% of adult pigs show serological evidence of active immunity.
A significant proportion of gilts may not be actively immune to porcine parvovirus at the time of first service, and subsequent infection may occur while these gilts are pregnant.     

Vaccination of swine with an inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccine in the presence of passive immunity

A study was conducted to determine whether low hemagglutination inhibiting (HI) titers (1:5) for porcine parvovirus (PPV) block the development of immune response to a PPV vaccine. Pigs with low (1:5), medium (1:10 or 1:20), or high (1:40 or 1:80) titers were obtained by IV injections with various amounts of PPV immune serum. Pigs were inoculated with 1 or 2 doses of vaccine and were monitored for serum HI antibodies to PPV. Pigs with low titers responded to vaccine just as well as did the seronegative pigs. The HI titers of pigs with medium titers did not increase after first vaccination. After the second vaccination, however, their titers increased and were similar to those of pigs with low titers. High titers blocked the response to vaccination. The pigs that received 2 doses of vaccine had higher titers than did those of pigs that received 1 dose of vaccine. The results indicated that low titers, which would be expected in gilts at the time of vaccination, do not interfere with immunization by the inactivated PPV vaccine, and that 2 doses of vaccine may provide better and longer lasting immune response to inactivated PPV vaccine and probably longer lasting immunity against PPV-induced reproductive failure.     

Antibody responses of guinea-pigs, rabbits and pigs to inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccines

Antibody responses were compared in guinea-pigs, rabbits and pigs following vaccination with inactivated porcine parvovirus (PPV) vaccines. Mean PPV hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers of 52, 56 and 36 at 1 week after first vaccination and 896, 640 and 512 at 2 weeks after second vaccination were detected in guinea-pigs, rabbits and pigs, respectively. PPV vaccines prepared with greater concentrations of virus, as determined by hemagglutination (HA) units, and of aluminum hydroxide gel adjuvant, induced higher HI antibody titers in guinea-pigs. Optimal concentrations for inducing consistently high antibody titers consisted of vaccine virus with a HA titer of 256/0.1 ml and gel adjuvant at a final concentration of 50%. A second vaccination at 4 weeks compared to 2 or 3 weeks after first vaccination resulted in higher mean HI titers. These data provide preliminary information on the use of guinea-pigs or rabbits as laboratory animal models for testing the potency of PPV vaccines.     

Effect of vaccination with a bacterin containing Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava on the breeding performance of swine herds

Swine herds suspected to be infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava were vaccinated with bacterins containing 5 or 6 leptospiral serovars in which serovar bratislava was the unique component. The principal diagnostic feature indicating an infection by this organism was demonstration of antibody against serovar bratislava in sera from stillborn pigs. For 1 breeding cycle after vaccination of herds on 3 farms, 255 of 266 (95.9%) sows and gilts given the 6-serovar bacterin farrowed. In contrast, 233 of 311 (74.9%) sows and gilts given the 5-serovar bacterin farrowed. These results, as evaluated by analysis of variance techniques, showed a significant improvement (P less than 0.01) in reproductive performance for groups vaccinated against serovar bratislava.     

An economic assessment of porcine parvovirus vaccination

SUMMARY A decision analysis model was designed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of a vaccination program for preventing endemic or epidemic porcine parvovirus (PPV) Induced reproductive failure in a 100-sow pig herd. The results showed that the cost of vaccination was less than the cost incurred by continuing endemic PPV infection, or the cost of a severe epidemic. A long term vaccination program is a cost effective method for controlling PPV-induced reproductive failure in pig herds suffering endemic and epidemic PPV infection.     

Spread of pseudorabies virus among breeding swine in quarantined herds.

In theory, pseudorabies virus (PRV) may be eliminated from any size of breeding herd by phased test and removal if replacement gilts are not infected with PRV, culling decisions are partially based on PRV status, and the cull rate is higher than the incidence rate of PRV. Annual cull rates are commonly at least 50%, but little information exists on the incidence of PRV within enzootically infected swine herds. The purpose of this study was to develop a method by which spread of PRV could be detected among breeding swine within enzootically infected herds and to determine the incidence of PRV infection in these herds. Data were collected from 17 herds that were quarantined for PRV and ranged in size from 120 to 1,100 sows. At each herd, within the first 5 days of introduction, a group of approximately 30 replacement gilts was identified, vaccinated with a glycoprotein X-deleted PRV vaccine, and blood sample was collected. The owner of 1 herd had a nonvaccinated breeding herd and elected to leave incoming gilts nonvaccinated. After vaccination, blood samples were collected every 1 to 2 months for an average of 13.6 months. Serum samples from vaccinated gilts were tested for antiglycoprotein X antibodies by a specific differential ELISA. Samples from nonvaccinated gilts were evaluated by serum neutralization test. Product-limit method was used to estimate the probability of not becoming infected with PRV. Spread was detected in 7 of 8 herds that had more than 400 sows and in 2 of 9 herds that had less than 400 sows.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effectiveness of vaccinating gilts against parvoviruses in a herd with endemic parvovirus infection

An inactivated vaccine against swine parvovirosis with a lipoid adjuvant was tested in a herd infested with parvoviruses. The titre of the haemagglutination-inhibition antibodies was studied at the time of the first pregnancy in two groups of gilts included in the herd at the age of 7.5 months - one group vaccinated, the other left untreated. In the vaccinated group the geometrical means of the titres were significantly higher than in the non-vaccinated group throughout the time of study. The difference in the average number of piglets per litter between the two groups was evaluated after parturition. On an average, the gilts of the vaccinated group had 1.5 more live pigs per litter (P less than 0.05). As also found, when the antibody titre increases by log 10, the number of piglets per litter increases by 1.55. On the basis of the results the vaccination of gilts against swine parvovirosis in endemically infested herds is considered an efficient preventive measure having a high economic effect.     

Prevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antigen-positive uterine tissues in gilts culled due to reproductive disturbance in Thailand

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antigen-positive uterine tissue in gilts culled due to reproductive disturbance in relation to age at culling, reasons for culling, herds, and PRRSV vaccination. Uterine tissues of 100 gilts from six swine herds in Thailand were collected. The immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the PRRSV antigen using a polymer-based non-avidin–biotin technique. PRRSV was detected in the cytoplasm of the macrophages in the subepithelial connective tissue layers of the endometrium in 33.0% of the culled gilts. The detection of PRRSV antigen varied among the herds from 14.3% to 80.0% (P = 0.018). The detection of PRRSV in the uterine tissues at different ages was not statistically different (29.6%, 39.4%, and 40.9% in gilts culled at 6–8, 9–10, and 11–16 months of age, respectively, P = 0.698), similar to the reasons for culling (P = 0.929). PRRSV antigen was found in 24.5% of the gilts vaccinated against the EU-strain-modified-live PRRSV vaccine and in 23.1% of the gilts vaccinated against the US-strain-modified-live PRRSV (P = 0.941). The level of antibody titers against PRRSV had no impact on PRRSV antigen detection in the uterine tissues. Similarly, the detection of PRRSV antigen did not differ between the virgin gilts (35.4%) and the gilts mated before culling (30.8%) (P = 0.622). It can be concluded that PRRSV remains in the uterine tissue of the infected gilts for several months even though vaccinations and acclimatization have been carried out.     

Field trials of an inactivated, oil-emulsion porcine parvovirus vaccine in British pig herds

Inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccines have been available commercially in Britain since 1984 and are now widely used in breeding herds. To investigate their value in cost benefit terms an oil-emulsion vaccine developed at Weybridge was used in trials on 1243 gilts in 12 herds during the period 1984 to 1986. In each herd approximately half the gilts were given the vaccine before breeding and the remainder were left unvaccinated. Blood samples were taken at vaccination and two to four weeks later to measure the serological responses, and the reproductive performances of the two groups were compared. When the data from all the gilts in the 12 herds were combined and analysed together there was surprisingly little difference between the reproductive performance of the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Only when the results from individual herds were analysed and interpreted against a background knowledge of wild parvovirus activity (as derived from a study of the serological results) did an understanding and evaluation of the benefits of vaccination become possible. As herds vary with respect to the absence or presence of porcine parvovirus and the epidemiology of the infection it is recommended that vaccination be used with discrimination; it should then prove highly cost effective.     

EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION OF 35, 50 AND 60 DAY OLD PIG FOETUSES WITH PORCINE PARVOVIRUS

SUMMARY: Foetuses of six seronegative gilts, two of which were each respectively 35, 50 and 60 days pregnant, were inoculated intrauterinely with porcine parvovirus (PPV) and examined 7 and 11 days after inoculation. HI*** antibody was not detected in any of the foetuses although all but one gilt developed low levels of antibody. All but one of the foetuses inoculated with PPV died in utero prior to examination at 11 days after inoculation. Infection also spread to noninoculated litter mates. Histological changes were mild in the gilts but there was widespread tissue necrosis in infected foetuses, and intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in cells of the liver, lung, kidney and cerebellum. The increased survival of foetuses infected at later stages of gestation appeared to be related to increased numbers of mononuclear cells then*** present in many tissues.     

Vaccination of sows against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae with Hyoresp

The aim of the study was to investigate the serological reactions of pregnant sows to vaccination with Hyoresp. Further investigations were performed in the offspring of these sows to follow the dynamics of maternal antibodies and the reaction to vaccination at different points in time. The study was conducted in three farrow-to-finish herds endemically infected with M. hyopneumoniae. A total of 30 gilts and 31 sows were vaccinated 8 and 4 weeks ante partum with Hyoresp (Merial GmbH) or given phys. saline solution as a placebo. The offspring was divided into three groups receiving Hyoresp at 1 and 4 or at 4 and 8 weeks of age. The control group was treated with phys. saline solution at 1 and 4 weeks of age. Before vaccination, antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae were detected in 85% of the gilts and 68% of the sows, confirming the endemic infection of the herds. Vaccination of the sows induced a significant increase in the antibody concentration in serum within four weeks and enhanced the concentration of antibodies in the colostrum. As expected, significantly enhanced levels of antibodies were also detected during the first four weeks of life of the offspring of vaccinated sows. The piglets' serological reaction to vaccination at 1 and 4 weeks of age showed marked interferences with maternal antibodies, so that a reaction could be demonstrated only at 8 weeks of age. The serological reaction of piglets vaccinated at 4 and 8 weeks of age was much stronger than that of piglets vaccinated earlier. Surprisingly, the vaccination status of the sow had no effect on the serological response of the piglets in either vaccination scheme. Maternal antibodies are known to reduce the risk of M. hyopneumoniae infections in piglets. Vaccinating the sows against M. hyopneumoniae may thus be an option for farrowing-to-finish herds with an enhanced risk for infections due to ineffective separation of different age groups, poor gilt acclimatisation or high gilt replacement rates.     

Use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of infection with pseudorabies virus on a herd basis.

The use of an ELISA that can differentiate between swine infected with pseudorabies virus (PRV) and swine vaccinated with a specific PRV vaccine was evaluated on an individual and herd basis, and a system for interpreting ELISA results on a herd basis was developed. In 17 herds, recently introduced replacement gilts, seronegative for PRV, were vaccinated with a thymidine kinase- and glycoprotein X (gpX)-deleted vaccine. After vaccination, blood samples were collected from these gilts approximately every 1 to 2 months for up to 19 months. Serum samples were analyzed for antibodies to gpX antigen, using a commercially available ELISA kit according to the manufacturer's protocol. Herd status was determined as positive, suspect, or negative, according to the serum sample:negative control (S:N) values of the samples collected from the herd. From the 17 herds, 130 evaluations were performed. On 49 (38%) of the 130 herd evaluations, 1 or more gilts had suspect test results. Additional testing was required in 19 (39%) of these 49 herd evaluations to determine the PRV infection status of the herd. Status of herds having gilts with suspect results and no positive results was usually negative after retesting. Herds having gilts with positive results were unlikely to have negative status after retesting.