Development of a bacterial-toxoid vaccine (VT) and the production of immunized yolks for the prevention of post weaning diarrhea and edema illness in pigs

• Grant number: 00/07541-7
• Support type: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: October 01, 2000 - May 31, 2001
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal researcher: João Takashi Ohashi
• Grantee: João Takashi Ohashi
• Company: Livet Produtos Veterinários Ltda
• City: Campinas

Abstract

About one year and a half ago, Livet Produtos Veterinários Ltda. developed an experimental vaccine and immunized egg yolks, made from samples of Escherichia coli produced from fimbriae F18ab and F18ac, commonly associated with post-weaning diarrhea and with the illness named edema in pigs. Through the present project, the company intends to takes its research forward, with the production of antibodies against fimbriae antigens and VT toxin in chicken yolks (phase 1) and, afterwards, the production and evaluation of a bacterial-toxoid vaccine and immunized yolks in pigs, for the control of diarrhea and the illness edema (phase 2). Post-weaning diarrhea and the illness known as edema are, from the practical point of view, the largest causes of economic losses in pig production, and, throughout the world, pig populations suffer from different degrees of severity of these illnesses. The economic losses are significant mainly due to weight loss, high food conversion, non-uniformity of size (rejected), high medical costs and animal mortality. Current control programs are carried out using zinc oxide and antibiotics, which bring with them risks to public health. Pilot experiments in the field of experimental vaccine developed by the company Livet have shown promising results, with a reduction of up to 65 per cent of diarrhea in recently weaned piglets, showing that the vaccination and the use of immunized yolks could be an efficient method in the control of this illness. (AU)