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Bulletin No. 18 - Spring 2004
BacterologyMycoplasma hyopneumoniae
HODGINS DC, SHEWEN PE, DEWEY CE
Influence of age and maternal antibodies on antibody responses of neonatal piglets vaccinated against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.
Journal of Swine Health and Production, Vol. 12, Nº1, 2004, 10-16
When dealing with M. hyopneumoniae and vaccination, two aspects come into conflict : should vaccination be delayed so as to avoid the immunosuppressive effect of maternal antibodies or should it be anticipated so as to induce early active immunity in order to protect piglets against early exposure to M. hyopneumoniae? Two commercial swine herds were involved in this study. Sows from herd A were not vaccinated while sows from herd B were vaccinated twice before breeding and then one week before farrowing. In each herd, four groups were respectively vaccinated at 2, 3 or 4 weeks of age or kept as non-vaccinated controls. The results of this particular study show that the maternal antibody level is to be considered the essential criterion for vaccination and that age at vaccination, understood as maturity of immune system, is not important since active antibody responses were achieved in piglets as young as 2 weeks of age.
