title: Field efficacy study of a novel ready-to-use vaccine against mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and porcine circovirus type 2 in a Greek farm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy, under field conditions, of a novel ready-to useMycoplasma hyopneumoniae(M hyo) and Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) combination vaccine given to piglets as one vaccination (1-shot) at 3 weeks of age. The study was carried out according to a controlled, randomised, and blinded design in a Greek pig herd with clinical M. hyo and subclinical PCV2 infection. Moreover, based on serology at the time of vaccination, the average PCV2 titre was 9.15 log2and represented the level of maternally derived antibodies (MDA). In total 602 healthy suckling piglets, originating from 4 weekly farrowing batches were allocated randomly, within litters, to one of two groups. The pigs in one group were vaccinated with the test product and the other pigs were injected with saline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vaccination significantly reduced lesions of craneo-ventral pulmonary consolidation in vaccinated group [expressed as lung lesion score (LLS)] (Mixed model ANOVA:p< 0.0001). The mean LLS was 17.1 in the controls and 10.6 in the treatment group, respectively. The average daily weight gain (ADWG) during the finishing (54 g better in the treatment group) and whole study period (34 g better in vaccinated animals) was significantly greater in vaccinated than control pigs. The vaccinated pigs had a significant reduction of PCV2 viraemia when compared with the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The test product was considered effective in the face of average MDA, based on significantly reduced severity of LLS and PCV2 viral load, as well as improved ADWG in vaccinated versus control pigs.
authors.affiliation: Farm Animals Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Tzika
authors.affiliation: Farm Animals Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Tassis
authors.affiliation: Lagou 59, 41334 Larissa, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koulialis
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Trikalon 224, P.O. Box 199, Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: Vassileios G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Papatsiros
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health, Clinical Study Team Biologicals, P.O. Box 31, 5830 AA Boxmeer, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nell
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brellou
authors.affiliation: Farm Animals Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsakmakidis
keywords: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae; Pigs; Porcilis PCV M Hyo; Porcine circovirus; Vaccination