Comparison of three vaccination schemes against PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M hyo) and Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2) are of high economic impact in the swine industry. To select a vaccination scheme against both pathogens, the following points will be taken into consideration by the veterinarians and the farmers: efficacy, safety, ease of use. The aim of this side by side study was to compare the impact of 3 vaccination programs on piglet’s performance shortly after vaccination and at slaughter.

The trial was conducted in a French farrow to finish 1200 sows PRRSv negative farm. In total, 1625 piglets of 3 following farrowing batches were included into the study. One day before weaning, piglets within each litter were alternatingly and randomly allocated to each of the 3 treatment groups, weighed individually and marked with an ear tag. Piglets in Group 1 were vaccinated with Ingelvac CircoFLEX® and Ingelvac MycoFLEX® freshly mixed (FLEXCombo®) using classical needles (1 ml each vaccine, IM). Piglets in Group 2 were vaccinated with Ingelvac CircoFLEX® and Ingelvac MycoFLEX® freshly mixed (FLEXCombo®) using a needle free device (1 ml each vaccine, IM). Piglets in Group 3 were vaccinated with Porcilis® PCV (2 ml, IM) and Porcilis® M hyo ID Once (0.2 ml, ID). In addition, 10 non-vaccinated sentinel piglets per batch were included to assess the PCV2 and M hyo infection. The piglets were weighed again individually 14 days after vaccination. Average Daily Gain at slaughter was calculated considering the number of days to slaughter.

At inclusion mean body weights, sex ratio, parity as well as age were similar between the three treatment groups. The infection with PCV2 and Mhyo was confirmed for the sentinel animals. In total, 46 pigs died during the study: 18 in Group 1, 14 in Groups 2 and 3. 14 days after vaccination, the ADG was significantly higher (p< 0.001) in both groups vaccinated with FLEXCombo® (Group 1: 225.99 g/day, Group 2: 225.52 g/day) compared to the group vaccinated with Porcilis® PCV and Porcilis® Mhyo ID Once (Group 3: 206.9 g/day). At slaughter, the ADG was 699.69 g/day, 703.29 g/day and 693.35 g/day in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 respectively. The difference between Group 2 and 3 was still significant (p< 0.05).

In this study, the performance of pigs that were vaccinated with FLEXcombo®, either administered via needles or with a needle-free device, was higher compared to pigs that were vaccinated with Porcilis® PCV and Porcilis® M hyo ID Once. FLEXCombo® is not only easy to use (a single injection to control 2 pathogens) but also safe and efficacious through the whole fattening period.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.