Implementation of a vaccine against Shigatoxin 2e in a piglet producing farm with problems of Oedema disease: case study

Abstract

Oedema disease is one of the major diseases in pigs during the nursery period. It is caused by Shigatoxin 2e producing strains of Escherichia coli. In order to combat the disease, the metaphylactic use of colistin sulphate and zinc oxide is widely spread. Additionally, special feeding regimens such as the reduction of the amount of crude protein and the increase of the amount of crude fibre are applied. The goal of this study was to test the efficacy of a vaccine against Oedema disease caused by Shigatoxin 2e in a field trial on a farm with a history of Oedema disease in nursery pigs.The study was carried out on a Dutch farm with 600 sows and a one-week farrowing rhythm and lasted for the time of one year. During this time all piglets were vaccinated with 1 ml ECOPORC SHIGA at the average age of 4 days. The parameters Overall mortality, use of antimicrobials in general, calculated as defined daily dose per animal, use of colistin sulphate and the weight gain were evaluated for all nursery pigs and compared to historical data of animals from the same period of time directly prior to the study serving as a historical control group.The previous mortality in the nursery of 7.7% was significantly reduced to 1.3% after vaccination. The metaphylactic use of colistin sulphate during the nursery period was stopped during the study because no deaths due to Oedema disease had occurred anymore after beginning of vaccination. The defined daily dose per animal per month was significantly reduced from a mean of 1.050 in the year 2012 to a mean of 0.215 in the year 2013. The defined daily dose per animal per year was therefore relevantly reduced from 12.6 in 2012 to 2.6 in 2013.These results show that on this farm Oedema disease can not only be controlled successfully by vaccination but also that vaccination can significantly reduce the use of antimicrobials in the nursery period.

Effect of Edema Disease Vaccination on Mortality and Growth Parameters in Nursery Pigs in a Shiga Toxin 2e Positive Commercial Farm

“…Although a direct comparison between mortality (deaths plus runts) in this VG and mortality in a previous period, in which a combination of colistin and ZnO was used, could not be properly conducted because the groups may differ, it is interesting to highlight that mortality was virtually the same during the starter phase for both groups (0.14 vs. 0.15 1000 piglets-day at risk, respectively). The vaccine used in the present study, based on a genetically modified recombinant Stx2e, has already been shown to be apparently effective in reducing the use of colistin and the mortality rate (MR) during the nursery period [12,21]. Thus, this study supports previous results suggesting that vaccination against Stx2e may reduce mortality and may likely be used as an alternative to the use of colistin.…”

“…Edema disease caused by Stx2e-producing strains of E. coli can be a significant economic disorder in a pig production farm [12]. The cost of associated outbreaks depends on the mortality rate and weight of the pigs that die (the older the pigs, the more expensive the consequences).…”

“…Additionally, a bivalent live vaccine for controlling PWD that comprises F4 and F18 nonpathogenic E. coli strains does exist [5]. Finally, prevention of EDEC is feasible through licensed vaccines containing a genetically modified recombinant Stx2e [12].…”

Molecular Biology of Escherichia coli Shiga Toxins’ Effects on Mammalian Cells

“…Nevertheless, therapeutic options to treat human patients suffering from STEC-associated diseases are still limited at present and, if available [45], not directly counteracting the detrimental effects of the Stxs. Options to protect exposed human individuals against the development of Stx-induced diseases are not available [46] despite the fact that vaccination of piglets against Stx2e proved to be an effective strategy against ED in affected farms [47]. Preventive measures in place to mitigate the human health threat are implemented for the food chain (following the farm-to-fork concept) but are mainly limited to later stages of the chain (post-harvest food safety).…”

Potent immune responses induced by aSalmonellaghost delivery system that expresses the recombinant Stx2eB, FedF, and FedA proteins of theEscherichia coli-producing F18 and Shiga toxin in a murine model and evaluation of its protective effect as a porcine vaccine candidate

“…Porcine edema disease (ED) primarily occurs in postweaned piglets and contributes to economic losses in swine industries worldwide (Fricke et al 2015). When the protection provided by maternal antibodies against F18 + Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) during the weaning period disappears, the newly weaned piglets are highly susceptible to ED infection.…”