Glässer's disease is one of the main diseases affecting young piglets, particularly during the nursery phase, that can significantly impact pork production. Vaccination of sows has the potential to prevent Glaesserella parasuis infection during the first weeks of life that is to a substantial degree due to the transfer of maternal derived antibodies (MDA) in colostrum. In this study we compare the antibody response to two vaccines administered to pregnant sows. A subunit vaccine containing the mutant transferrin-binding protein, TbpBY167A, and an autogenous vaccine formulated with the LM96/20 strain of G. parasuis (SV4) administered on days 65 and 86 of the gestational period were safe and induced high titers of antibodies in sows. The IgG peak was reached on day 100 of gestation, and the translocation of IgG to the mammary gland was confirmed in colostrum at the time of delivery. Piglets born from vaccinated sows maintained positive IgG titers against TbpBY167A or G. parasuis SV4 for the duration of the experiment (35 days of life). Piglets born from sows vaccinated with the TbpBY167A-based vaccine had a significantly (p = 0.001) lower load of G. parasuis in the respiratory tract compared to those born from sows vaccinated with the autogenous vaccine. Finally, we demonstrate that the LM96/20 (SV4) strain is highly virulent and a primary agent of Glässer's disease.
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