4-year project into swine disease

This project follows previous research at the University which has shown that M hyo isolates differ with regard to their genetic make-up and their virulence.

 

Professor Dr Dominiek Maes, project co-ordinator said: “At the moment we do not know to what extent M hyo isolates vary within pig herds. For example, whether the isolates that infect young pigs are the same as those in older pigs.”

 

“Although current vaccines are an economically justified way of controlling the disease for individual pig farmers, it is unknown exactly how vaccination influences the diversity of M hyo strains on individual farms, or exactly which antigens within the M hyo cell induce the best protection.”

 

The research includes several studies using animals from commercial pig farms in Belgium. The work is being funded by the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders and Pfizer Animal Health, which produces the most widely used M hyo vaccines in Europe and worldwide – Stellamuneâ„¢.