ANTIBODY TITRES AGAINST PROGRESSIVE ATROPHIC RHINITIS AS A TOOL FOR THE

EVALUATION OF THE VACCINATION QUALITY IN THE FIELD

B. Ridremont1, V. Auvigne2
(1) Intervet S.A., BP 17144, 49071 Beaucouzé, France
(2) Ekipaj,4 allée Charles Gounod, 35760 Saint-Grégoire, France

Introduction Establishing an overall herd indicator

Vaccination against Progressive Atrophic Rhinitis (PAR)
is based on induced humoral immunity (especially
against the Pasteurella multocida dermonecrotic toxin) in
sows and the transfer of passive immunity to the piglets
by colostral intake. A strong correlation exists between
post-vaccinal antibody titres in sows and passive
antibody titres in their piglets on the one hand, and
antibody titres and protection against PAR in piglets on
the other. Post-vaccinal serological profiles are a tool for
the evaluation of immunity in the reproductive herd and
success in a vaccination programme (1).
To estimate the general vaccinal response on the farm, an
overall indicator was created, as follows:
(1) Sows were classified in two age groups (“young”
sows with 1 or 2 litters, “multiparous” with 3 or more
litters).
(2)Vaccinal titres were classified as “low” or “high” with
different thresholds according to the sample type (Table
2).
(3) For each age group, the proportion of sows with a
“high” titre was calculated and given a score from 1 to
10.

Material and Methods Table 2: Classification of antibody titres

Analyses were carried out on sow colostrum or blood n Low High
samples, taken by field veterinarians according to their Colostrum 1389 <11 ≥ 11
preference. Colostrum was sampled during or within six Serum 799 <7 ≥7
hours after farrowing. Blood samples were taken within
10 days following parturition. The analyses were carried The different herdprofile types
out by the R. & D. laboratory of Intervet International in Herd profiles were classified into the following
Boxmeer (The Netherlands), using a Pasteurella categories :
multocida toxin neutralisation test on Vero cells. Results - Excellent (10% of herds): over 8 sows among 10 have a
were expressed in log base 2. The serological profiles high titre, for both age groups. In case of clinical signs,
were carried out in 135 farms selected by veterinary the colostral uptake and husbandry should be reviewed.
practitioners on the basis of persistent PAR problems in Satisfactory (22%): over half of the sows have a high
spite of vaccination. In all these farms, gilts and sows antibody level, in both age groups. The difference
were vaccinated against PAR (Nobi®-vac AR-T, between the young and multiparous animals is small.
Intervet). Average « Type 1 » (22%): the score of antibody titres is
average (3 to 8 on 10) in multiparous and poor (0 to 3) in
Results young sows. In these farms, the immunity takes time to
Relation between sample type, antibody titre and parity become effective. It is essential to review the vaccination
Colostral titres were on average higher than serological of gilts (vaccinal protocol, vaccinal method,…).
titres (mean difference=4 log2) (Figure 1), probably due Average « Type 2 » (13%): antibody titres are higher for
to a difference in concentration of immunoglobulins. the young (3 to 6) than for the multiparous sows (0 to 2).
Titres of young sows were lower than titres of Possible explanations are a problem with booster
multiparous sows. (Table 1). compliance or a recent improvement of the vaccination.
Figure 1: Serological titres according to sample type Insufficient (16%): less than 2 sows among 10 have high
50% antibody titres, for both age groups. The clinical signs
45%
40%
observed can be linked to an insufficient vaccine
35% Colostrum Serum
response. The vaccinal protocol should be reviewed.
30%
25%
20% Discussion
15%
10%
The evaluation of the vaccine response based on serology
5% is well adapted to the case of PAR, as the desired
0%
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
protection is essentially humoral. The possibility of
Titre analysis in the colostrum makes sampling easier. It
would, however, be of interest to further develop the
method in colostrum by measuring titres over 12 using
additional dilutions. Finally, the vaccinal profiles should
Table 1: Mean vaccine antibody titres according to parity
be part of a more general approach (clinical observation,
Parity Colostrum Serum checks in the slaughterhouse) as many other factors can
1 8.5 5.3 play a role (colostral uptake, husbandry conditions,
2 9.3 6.2 infectious pressure…).
3 to 5 9.7 6.7
>= 6 10.3 7.8 Reference
1. Nicolas Y et al. 1992. Rec. Méd. Vét., 168, 797-805.

Proceedings of the 18th IPVS Congress, Hamburg, Germany, 2004 – Volume 1 452