New Ileitis vaccine produces dramatic performance lift, helps PMWS

EU - In just four months, the use of a vaccine to control ileitis in a 550-sow herd has increased piglets’ average daily weight gain by 35%, cut mortality by more than 60% and improved the uniformity of carcase weights, leading to better prices. It has also resolved the unit’s diarrhoea problem and significantly reduced the number of cases of PMWS.

26 April 2006

3 minute read

More information on Enterisol Ileitis here

This is the experience reported by a Danish farmer following the introduction of Enterisol® Ileitis, an innovative vaccine against porcine ileitis, which has recently become available to UK pig producers.

The dramatic improvements were achieved in a herd with a long history of ileitis, which had previously been treated with antibiotics, and problems with PMWS. In September 2005, vaccination at weaning (7 – 8kg) began before piglets moved to nursery accommodation where average daily weight gain (ADWG) and mortality were recorded over their eight-week stay.

The records showed that following introduction of vaccination

ADWG improved by 125g a day – up from 353g to 478g
Mortality rates were cut from 6.5% to 2%.
Diarrhoea was eliminated in the four-month period following introduction of the vaccine
There were significantly fewer cases of PMWS.

The introduction of Enterisol® Ileitis on this farm was associated with the production of healthier pigs, an average of 7 kg heavier than unvaccinated pigs, to the finishing accommodation.

Feedback on the use of Enterisol® Ileitis on commercial units in many European countries, including the UK, points to important financial and performance improvements, says Allan Henderson of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica.

A German producer, for example, was able to calculate an economic benefit of £7.20-£10.80 (€10.20 - €15.40) per pig associated with the introduction of vaccination.

A survey in the UK and other EU countries last year showed that 97 per cent of breeding herds and 93 per cent of finishing herds are infected with Lawsonia intracellularis, the pathogen which causes ileitis in pigs.

Allan Henderson said “The high level of infection with Lawsonia intracellularis is a serious threat to productivity and profitability for UK producers. The new vaccine promises a real opportunity to improve economic performance while reducing antibiotic use.”

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