This document summarizes a serological survey of Aujeszky's disease vaccination in an Italian pig herd. The herd vaccinated gilts, sows, growers, and fatteners using a vaccine called AKIPOR 6.3 mixed with another vaccine. Blood samples from gilts, sows, and fatteners showed high antibody levels against Aujeszky's disease, indicating the mixed vaccination program was effective at maintaining immunity. The survey results demonstrated that mixing AKIPOR 6.3 with an influenza vaccine did not negatively impact the potency of the Aujeszky's disease component of the vaccine.

1. Abstract accepted for 6th Asian Pig Veterinary Society congress, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, September 23-25, 2013
CASE DESCRIPTION OF AN AUJESZKY’S DISEASE SEROLOGICAL SURVEY IN AN ITALIAN HERD
Claudio Tonelli1; Angela Galuppini2
1DVM, Mantova, Italy; 2DVM, Casalmoro (MN), Italy
tonelli66@libero.it
Introduction
Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies is still present in Italy. One of the major tool to control and eradicate the disease is the systematic vaccination of swine with gE-deleted modified live vaccines1. AKIPOR ® 6.3 is a freezed dried modified live vaccine (gE-deleted Bartha strain) with an oily adjuvant. For practical reason, the freeze-dried pellet may be re-suspended in another vaccine e.g. GRIPOVAC ®3 depending on the vaccination program implemented in the farm. This case description reports serological monitoring of an Italian herd regarding Aujeszky’s disease which has implemented these conditions of use of AKIPOR 6.3 from 2010/2011.
Material and Methods
Farm management
Data was collected in a 350-sow farrow-to-finish operation known to be gE negative for several years through regular serological monitoring. Fatteners are raised for Parma ham until 280-300 days of age.
Vaccination plan
Key features of the vaccination plan were as follows:
- Gilts: 1-2 administrations of AKIPOR 6.3 mixed with GRIPOVAC 3 in quarantine,
- Sows: AKIPOR 6.3 + GRIPOVAC 3 mixed every 4 months; PROGRESSIS ® each 3 months separated by at least 1 week from AKIPOR + GRIPOVAC 3 administration,
- Growers and fatteners: AKIPOR + GRIPOVAC 3 at 70 and 95 days of age; AKIPOR only at 180 days of age to cover the 3 last month of life necessary to grow pigs up to slaughter.
Data collection
On December 2012 ten gilts and 5 primiparous sows were sampled to check AD-free status and quality of vaccination as required by local veterinary authorities. Blood sampling was performed few days before booster injection in sows, i.e. 4 months following the last injection. Routine gE and gB ELISA assays were conducted at ISZLER (Brescia).
On February 2013, additional investigations were performed regarding gB antibody levels in 20 sows of different parities 9 days following the last booster as well as in 110-day-old or 210-day-old fatteners approximately 30 days following the last booster injection.
Results
At the first evaluation (Table 1), each animal sampled was found gE-antibody negative, thus confirming the AD-free status of the farm.
When assessed either 9 days post-vaccination (Table 2) or 4 months post-vaccination (Table 1) it could be seen that gB antibody titres were high in sows whatever their parity. Sampled gilts displayed high gB antibody titres as well (Table 1).
Fatteners displayed also satisfying gB antibody titres at the two sampling ages (Table 2).
Table 1. First serological evaluation (gE and gB ELISA, December 2012)
Titre
Gilts
Sow, parity=1
gE
gB
gE
gB
NEG
10
0
5
0
1/64
0
2
0
1
1/256
0
6
0
3
≥1/256
0
2
0
1
Total
10
10
5
5
Table 2. Second serological evaluation (gB ELISA, February 2013)
gB
Titre
Sows (parity number)
9 days post-vaccination
Fatteners
30 days post- vaccination
1
2
3 and more
110 days
210 days
NEG
0
0
0
1
0
1/64
0
0
0
4
0
1/256
0
3
1
0
1
≥1/256
5
2
9
5
9
Total
5
5
10
10
10
Conclusion
Under the vaccination program described in this report, the serological survey in various ages and animal status indicates satisfying potency of AKIPOR 6.3 antigen despite it was mixed with an Influenza vaccine for the maintenance of high quality of vaccination against Aujeszky’s disease.
Literature cited
1. Pensaert M. et al., (1992) Vet microbiol, 33, 53-67.
®AKIPOR 6.3, GRIPOVAC 3, PROGRESSIS are registered trademarks of MERIAL in Italy and elsewhere.