Two commercial farrow-to-finish farms were included in the study based on the willingness of the farmer to participate. On both farms, circulation of M. hyopneumoniae was assumed based on the presence of the pathogen in tracheobronchial swabs (TBS) taken from fattening pigs in the past. Danbred breeding gilts were reared on farm A and purchased on farm B. On farm A, the breeding gilts were vaccinated once against M. hyopneumoniae four weeks prior to first insemination with Ingelvac MycoFLEX® (Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany). On farm B, breeding gilts were vaccinated with Stellamune®Mycoplasma (Elanco, Utrecht, The Netherlands) at six months of age upon arrival at the farm and a second time four weeks later. Furthermore, on farm B gilts were also booster vaccinated twice shortly before farrowing. On both farms, sows were not vaccinated against M. hyopneumoniae.
Farm A practiced a 5-week batch-farrowing-system and piglets were weaned and moved to the nursery unit at approximately 22 days of age. The piglets were vaccinated at 16 days of age against M. hyopneumoniae with an inactivated whole cell J strain-based bacterin (Ingelvac MycoFLEX®, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) (Ingelvac CircoFLEX®, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (UNISTRAIN® PRRS, HIPRA, Amer, Spain). Pigs were moved to the fattening unit at 9 weeks of age.
Farm B worked in a 4-week batch-farrowing-system and piglets were weaned and moved to the nursery unit at approximately 22 days of age. They were vaccinated at 16 days of age against M. hyopneumoniae with the same vaccine as in farm A (Ingelvac MycoFLEX®, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH) and PRRSV (UNISTRAIN® PRRS, HIPRA). The piglets were moved to the fattening unit at 10 weeks of age. On both farms, five breeding animals (two gilts and three sows of mixed parity) were included in the study. The farrowing process was monitored by the main investigator and from each litter, five healthy piglets (birth weight >1 kg) were selected, ear notched and followed up monthly from birth till slaughter (n = 25 piglets / farm). Cross-fostering of the ear notched piglets was not allowed and pigs did not receive antibiotics active against M. hyopneumoniae on both farms during the entire trial.
Farm A practiced a 5-week batch-farrowing-system and piglets were weaned and moved to the nursery unit at approximately 22 days of age. The piglets were vaccinated at 16 days of age against M. hyopneumoniae with an inactivated whole cell J strain-based bacterin (Ingelvac MycoFLEX®, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) (Ingelvac CircoFLEX®, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (UNISTRAIN® PRRS, HIPRA, Amer, Spain). Pigs were moved to the fattening unit at 9 weeks of age.
Farm B worked in a 4-week batch-farrowing-system and piglets were weaned and moved to the nursery unit at approximately 22 days of age. They were vaccinated at 16 days of age against M. hyopneumoniae with the same vaccine as in farm A (Ingelvac MycoFLEX®, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH) and PRRSV (UNISTRAIN® PRRS, HIPRA). The piglets were moved to the fattening unit at 10 weeks of age. On both farms, five breeding animals (two gilts and three sows of mixed parity) were included in the study. The farrowing process was monitored by the main investigator and from each litter, five healthy piglets (birth weight >1 kg) were selected, ear notched and followed up monthly from birth till slaughter (n = 25 piglets / farm). Cross-fostering of the ear notched piglets was not allowed and pigs did not receive antibiotics active against M. hyopneumoniae on both farms during the entire trial.
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