Can immunocrit be used as a monitoring tool for swine vaccination and infection studies?

Background: The immunocrit is a cost-effective and straightforward technique traditionally used to assess passive immunity transfer to newborn piglets. However, it has not been previously used for monitoring the effect of vaccination and/or infections. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the immunocrit technique as an immunological monitoring tool in a vaccination and challenge scenario, using porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) as pathogen model.

Determination of the frequency of individuals with broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against PRRSV in the sow population under field conditions.

Background: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) is a significant swine pathogen, yet the immune response components contributing to protection remain incompletely understood. Broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies (bNAs) may play a crucial role in preventing reinfections by heterologous viruses, although their occurrence is considered low under both field and experimental conditions. This study aimed to assess the frequency of sows exhibiting bNAs against PRRSV under field conditions and to analyze the epidemiological factors influencing the occurrence of these elite neutralizers.

Perception about the Major Health Challenges in Different Swine Production Stages in Spain.

One of the main challenges for the sustainability and productivity of the Spanish swine industry is health instability, resulting in significant economic losses. Information on the main swine diseases which affect the Spanish pig industry could help in optimizing the efforts within control programs. This study determined the frequency of occurrence of the main diseases in Spain and the main control tool used, based on perceptions from veterinarians and consultants in a specific survey.

Frequency of PCV-2 viremia in nursery piglets from a Spanish swine integration system in 2020 and 2022 considering PRRSV infection status.

Background: Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) poses a significant economic threat for the swine industry, causing a range of diseases collectively referred to as porcine circovirus diseases (PCVDs). Despite PCV-2 vaccine effectiveness, the need for monitoring infectious pressure remains. PCV-2 coinfection with other pathogens like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) can exacerbate disease severity and lead to PCV-2-systemic disease cases.

Impact of maternally derived immunity on immune responses elicited by piglet early vaccination against the most common pathogens involved in porcine respiratory disease complex.

Background: Newborn piglets can trigger an elementary immune response, but the acquirement of specific antibodies and/or cellular immunity against pathogens before they get infected post-natally is paramount to preserve their health. This is especially important for the pathogens involved in porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) as they are widespread, fairly resistant at environment, and genetically variable; moreover, some of them can cause intrauterine/early life infections.

Main Body: Piglet protection can be achieved by either passive transfer of maternal derived immunity (MDI) and/or actively through vaccination.

Environmental detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in breed-to-wean farms.

There is a need to develop cost-effective and non-invasive approaches to sample large populations to evaluate the disease status of breeding herds. In this study we assessed the detection of the M. hyopneumoniae genetic material in environmental surfaces and air of farrowing rooms, and skin (udder, snout and vagina) of lactating sows at weaning, in farms having different M.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae variability: Current trends and proposed terminology for genomic classification.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) is the aetiologic agent of enzootic pneumonia in swine, a prevalent chronic respiratory disease worldwide. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a small, self-replicating microorganism that possesses several characteristics allowing for limited biosynthetic abilities, resulting in the fastidious, host-specific growth and unique pathogenic properties of this microorganism.

Characterization of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strains in vaccinated and non-vaccinated pigs from Spanish slaughterhouses.

This study aimed to describe Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) genetic variability in vaccinated (V) and non-vaccinated (NV) slaughtered pigs showing cranio-ventral pulmonary consolidation (CVPC). Ten V and 10 NV fattening farms with respiratory problems associated to M.

Comparison of vaccination protocols against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae during the gilt acclimation period.

This study evaluated different gilt vaccination protocols against Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniae at acclimation and their effect on the genetic diversity. A total of 180 M.

Acclimation strategies in gilts to control Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) is the primary causative agent of enzootic pneumonia (EP), one of the most economically important infectious disease for the swine industry worldwide. M.

Survey on gilt acclimation practices in Europe.

Gilts are considered to play a key role in transmission and control. An effective gilt acclimation program should ideally reduce shedding at first farrowing, decreasing pre-weaning colonization prevalence and potential respiratory problems in fatteners. However, information on gilt acclimation practices is scarce in Europe The aim of this study was to identify current acclimation strategies for in Europe using a questionnaire designed to assess 15 questions focused on gilt replacement status, acclimation strategies and methods used to ascertain its effect.