E. Rautiainen et P. Wallgren, Aspects of the transmission of protection against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaefrom sow to offspring, J VET MED B, 48(1), 2001, pp. 55-65
Citations number
37
Categorie Soggetti
Veterinary Medicine/Animal Health
Journal title
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE SERIES B-INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND VETERINARYPUBLIC HEALTH
The aims of this study were to describe the variation in concentration of a
ntibodies to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in the serum and colostrum of seas, a
nd to compare the amount of antibodies in colostrum with that obtained in t
he serum of the smallest piglets in a litter. In addition, the efficacy of
the passive immunity in natural conditions was studied. The study was perfo
rmed in a sow pool herd (600 sows) that was endemically infected with M. hy
opneumoniae. Blood samples were collected from sows 19 days (n = 25) before
and 3 days (n = 15) after farrowing, and a colostrum sample (n = 25) was c
ollected on the day of farrowing. All samples were analysed for antibodies
to M. hyopneumoniae with a monoclonal blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Twelve sows (48%) were high-responders with respect to antib
ody concentration in colostrum. The amount of blocking decreased in serum d
uring the last weeks of pregnancy and 3 days post-farrowing it was only 53%
of the level found in colostrum. At the age of 14 days, 30 of the smallest
piglets were weaned. They were divided into three experimental groups, bei
ng the offspring of high-responding sows, low-responding sows, or a mix of
high- and low-responding sows. The groups were transported to three separat
ed isolation units and were followed until slaughter. At slaughter, lung le
sions were not found. Nor could M. hyopneumoniae be demonstrated either by
cultivation or by polymerase chain reaction. However, a significant increas
e in absorbance values, assessed by an indirect-ELISA, was demonstrated in
groups established from low-responding sows. It was concluded that a high a
ntibody level in colostrum appeared to protect piglets from M. hyopneumonia
e.