Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae continues to affect swine herds in North America and the world. It colonizes the surface of the cells lining the upper airways, resulting in the destruction of cilia, the hair-like structures that normally help remove foreign material from the lungs. This elicits an inflammatory response, which predisposes the lung to further infections and complicated pneumonia.

Clinical signs of mycoplasma include a deep, non-productive cough with a mild to moderate fever. Infected pigs also can experience reduction in feed intake and average daily gain. Infection and clinical disease can occur at any stage of production, but is most common in the finishing phase, from 10 to 12 weeks of age to market.

Protecting pigs against enzootic pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae just got easier with a new vaccine from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI).

"Ingelvac MycoFLEX® will reduce clinical signs associated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae," says Edgar Diaz, DVM, senior technical manager, swine respiratory biologics for BIVI. "Vaccination also will reduce the lung lesions and pneumonia often associated with this disease, which will help improve overall pig health and performance."

The new vaccine uses single-dose technology pioneered by BIVI. It contains ImpranFLEX^TM, an aqueous (water)-based polymer adjuvant proven safe and non-tissue-reactive in pigs. ImpranFLEX is the same aqueous-based polymer adjuvant that is used in Ingelvac CircoFLEX®, BIVI's porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine. Ingelvac MycoFLEX promotes quick, long-lasting immunity, and is non-viscous, highly 'syringeable' and easy to administer.

The vaccine can be given to pigs that are 3 weeks old or older but Dr Diaz recommends using vaccines in a timely manner: "Understand your exposure pattern, and let that dictate when the vaccines should be administered," he states. "Work with your veterinarian and place the vaccines accordingly.

"If pigs are vaccinated in a timely fashion before exposure, these vaccines will reduce clinical signs, including lung lesions associated with mycoplasma pneumonia," he continues. "Normally we see improved daily gain as well. The vaccine won't create a 'bubble' around the pig, but it prepares the pig to deal with the mycoplasma challenge with a protective immune response."

"Mycoplasma pneumonia is a major concern of nearly every pork producer. Ingelvac MycoFLEX delivers the most flexible protection available, providing premium protection with maximum convenience," concludes Gary Robertson, swine marketing.

Further Reading

-

You can find more information on Mycoplasma hyopnemoniae from Boehringer Ingelheim by clicking here.

Further Reading

-

Find out more information on Pneumonia by clicking here.