Immunisation of pigs with live cultures of Streptococcus suis type 2.

Repeated intravenous injections of pigs with live virulent cultures of Streptococcus suis type 2 stimulated a strong protective response against subsequent challenge. This protection was transferred passively to susceptible pigs by the inoculation of sera from protected pigs. A strong protective response was also stimulated by repeated inoculations of live cultures of non-pathogenic isolates. The protective response did not eliminate S suis type 2 organisms already established in the tonsils or joints, nor prevent the establishment of subclinical infection in the tonsils.