European research centre develops vaccine to reduce use of antibiotics in piglets

A European research, development and innovation organisation, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, has developed a vaccine for piglets to reduce the use of antibiotics and help with the global issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The vaccine is a new type of product that can replace antimicrobial drugs, such as zinc oxide, which are used to treat diarrhoea in piglets being weaned.

Principal scientist at VTT, Jussi Joensuu, explained: “The vaccine’s production method has proved to be very effective, and it can also be used in the development of other animal vaccines. The method may be available commercially already in the next few years.”

Although its safety and efficacy still need to be demonstrated in clinical trials, the first animal test, carried out in Belgium this summer, has shown promise.

“When administered in drinking water, the vaccine offers protection exactly where it is needed, namely in the intestine. If the vaccine was injected, most of the antibodies would remain in the bloodstream,” added Joensuu.

When weaning piglets there is a possibility that harmful bacteria can enter the system and attach themselves to the intestine, causing diarrhoea and in some extreme cases mortality. It is estimated that piglet deaths of this nature can cost annual losses of €1–2 billion per year. Common practices to avoid this include dietary controls, hygienic rearing conditions and antibiotics. On a global scale, around 70% of all antibiotics are used on animals.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) resistance to antibiotics is a global health threat, meaning that antibiotics no longer have the same effectiveness. This increases human and animal illness and mortality and increases healthcare costs.