Immunization of sows in an integrated pig-breeding herd using a homologous inactivated Salmonella vaccine decreases the prevalence of Salmonella typhimurium infection in the offspring.

The efficacy of a homologous vaccination in preventing infection of suckling piglets with Salmonella (S.) Typhimurium was evaluated after an immunization of pregnant sows using an inactivated herd-specific S. Typhimurium vaccine. Twenty-five pregnant sows were vaccinated three times antepartum. The efficiency of this vaccine regime was assessed by comparison with a control group of 37 sows and their suckling piglets, which were daily treated with enrofloxacin from day 14 antepartum until the day of weaning. From the first day of life until day 142 post-partum, faecal samples of the piglets were collected and analysed for Salmonella shedding. In parallel, systemic antibody responses were monitored using a whole cell-based isotype-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The bacteriological investigation showed marked effects of vaccination. Salmonella Typhimurium could not be detected in any of the faecal samples of the piglets from the vaccinated sows. In contrast, the piglets of the group with long-time antibiotic treatment shed salmonellae rating to 47.4% of the animals. Furthermore, the offspring from vaccinated sows showed significantly decreased antibody activities of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG. These bacteriological and serological results indicate a significantly lower Salmonella prevalence in piglets of the vaccinated group. As this study shows, the presented strategy of vaccination of pregnant sows with an inactivated Salmonella vaccine seems to be a suitable measure in decreasing Salmonella prevalence in offspring of infected sows.