Boehringer Ingelheim sponsors PCV2 research projects

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has funded 17 independent European pig research projects related to Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) infection and associated diseases.
In the past five years, 50 research projects were submitted to the European PCV2 research award, demonstrating the continuous interest and need for applied PCV2 research.
The 2012 European PCV2 research awards were recently presented to the successful investigators by the head of the review board, Prof. Maurice Pensaert, former head of the Laboratory of Virology of Ghent University in Belgium, and George Heidgerken, Senior Vice President Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.
In the 6th edition the independent review board selected the following projects to be awarded:
• Effect of maternal derived immunity on PCV2 infection dynamics and production parameters in PCV2 vaccinated pigs (Prof. Joaquim Segalés and Dr. Marina Sibila, CReSA and Universitat Autònoma, Barcelona, Spain)
• Are amino acids 169 and 173 of PCV capsid protein determinant for virulence? (Dr. Beatrice Grasland, Anses – LERAPP laboratory, Ploufragan, France)
• Does prophylactic treatment with Iscom-Matrix adjuvant affect a subsequent PCV2 infection in pigs? (Prof. Caroline Fossum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden)
More than 40 European scientists participated in the award ceremony in Hanover, Germany, where the company recently opened a new international research site. More than 50 employees are already working on researching innovative vaccines for livestock at the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Center. The company has invested more than 40 million euro in this state-of-the-art research facility.
European Porcine Circovirus (PCV2) Research Award
Boehringer Ingelheim intends to continuously support independent applied research in the field of PCV2 immunity, pathogenesis, epidemiology and interaction with other (potential) pathogens. The European Porcine Circovirus (PCV2) Research Award is an annual award that recognizes research proposals in this area of applied immunological PCV2 research.
The award has an independent review board with leading European scientists in applied porcine research reviewing the entries and deciding upon the winning proposals. A maximum of three prizes, worth 25,000 euros each, are granted to European researchers every year, to advance scientific knowledge in these areas.
How to apply
Applications for the next European PCV2 Research Award can be submitted by September 10, 2013. For more details please contact Maurice.pensaert@ugent.be or Petra.Maass@boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Managing swine respiratory diseases

Controlling swine respiratory diseases, such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCV2) and mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. hyo), is one of the key challenges for pig producers and veterinarians.
During the 2012 World Pork Expo, pig experts discussed the impacts of these diseases, the latest research and effective ways to manage respiratory diseases on modern pig farms. Dr. John Waddell, DMV, professional services veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., discussed the economic impacts of respiratory diseases on pig farms. “These diseases have drastic economic impacts on the swine industry; the PRRS virus alone is estimated to cost the U.S. swine industry $664 million annually,” said Waddell who suggested using a five-step process to help manage respiratory diseases:

1. Identify desired goals
2. Determine current status of farm
3. Understand current constraints
4. Develop solution options
5. Implement and monitor preferred solutions
“Managing these respiratory diseases is critical for pig producers and there is not one solution that fits for all the respiratory diseases," said Waddell. "Implementing a five-step animal health model can lead to increased awareness of specific pathogens involved in respiratory disease issues within a system. The five-step process also allows for the proper intervention to be implemented to best control the problem within a specific system."
Dr. Darin Madson, DVM, assistant professor of pathology at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, presented the latest research findings on PCV2 In-Utero Transfer Results in Viremic Neonates and the role of pig vaccination. Madson said that PCV2 infection can manifest as reproductive failure or be subclinical fetal infection. In-utero PCV2 infections are more common than clinical reproductive disease. “Research indicates that dam vaccination decreases reproductive disease, in-utero infection and secretion of virus through milk and colostrums,” said Madson. “Also, research shows dam vaccination improves herd reproductive parameters, piglet weaning weights and has an effect on nursery/growth-finish mortality.”

Vaccinating all pigs against porcine circovirus could have benefits

Veterinarians and producers in the pig industry should consider vaccinating the whole herd for porcine circovirus type 2, PCV2, not just piglets, according to Merial Animal Health’s Veterinary Adviser Brian Rice.
Research was conducted in France on two groups of gilts — 165 that were not vaccinated against PCV2 and 165 that were vaccinated with Circovac1 — and a number of key measurements demonstrated the benefits of PCV2 vaccination. Return to oestrus was nearly three times as likely among the non-vaccinated gilts compared to the vaccinated ones, at 5.1 percent versus 1.8 percent. Abortions were reduced by roughly half among the vaccinated gilts, at 3.6 percent compared to 7.3 percent, and the percentage farrowing was nearly 7 percent higher among vaccinated gilts (90.5 percent against 83.9 percent).
“For sows, as well as gilts, PCV2 vaccination has a number of clear economic benefits," said Rice. "Piglets born from vaccinated sows have a higher birthweight and continue to grow quicker, resulting in fewer days to slaughter. Vaccinated sows also have a better reproductive performance. Research carried out in the UK showed that vaccinated sows produced almost one extra piglet per litter. In light of all the current evidence, vets and producers need to consider a strategy for PCV2 vaccination which takes into account the whole herd, including sows and gilts, not just piglets."