Effect of ileitis oral vaccination against Lawsonia intracellularis on performance improvement in a Spanish company

Lawsonia intracellularis (L.i.) is the causative agent of porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE). PPE is a relevant economic enteric disease that causes diarrhea and reduces weight gain in growing pigs (1). The subclinical form produces as well a negative impact on performance and farm economics. L.i is endemic in most of the Spanish farms (2). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Enterisol® Ileitis (Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH) in a Spanish commercial company.

This study was conducted in a 450 sows farrow to feeder (20 kgs) farm located in the eastern region of Spain. The farm is negative for PRRS. Pigs at fattening were suffering subclinical ileitis and L.i. infection was confirmed by ELISA (IgG). A total of 23100 fattening pigs were included in the study (10250 non-vaccinated and 12850 vaccinated with the oral nonvirulent live vaccine Enterisol® Ileitis (Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH). Thus, the whole production of 2013(13 batches) vs 2014(16 batches). The piglets were orally vaccinated via drinking water at entry in the finishing unit using Thiosulfate Blue (Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH) as stabilizer. All the animals were raised under similar conditions same fattening units, water and feed supply. The parameters recorded were: feed conversion rate (FCR), mortality rate (%) and gastro-intestinal antibiotics costs (€). Data has been analysed using ANOVA with SPSS v.15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) software. The Benefits cost ratio was calculated by using BECAL(Boehringer-Ingelheim Economic Calculator)

The reduction on gastro-intestinal antibiotic use in vaccinated group represents 56.4% compared to those animals that were not vaccinated(0.38a vs 0.17b€).

The average mortality was 19.87% lower in vaccinated group (1.56a % vs 1.25b %).

In addition FCR was 120 g less in vaccinated group(2.6a vs 2.48b).

The benefits cost ratio calculated with BECAL was 2.6:1€.

In this field experience, in a high health farm it was demonstrated that performance was improved due to the reduction on gastro-intestinal antibiotic, mortality and mainly by reducing FCR with the vaccination with Enterisol Ileitis®.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.