Fall and winter are quickly approaching. During these times, swine producers are increasingly challenged by co-infections, which can significantly impact herd health, productivity, and profitability. Thorough diagnostics and surveillance are essential to ensure your herd remains protected against endemic and newly introduced pathogens.
Traditional commercial vaccines may not always provide sufficient protection against the specific pathogens present in a given system. That’s where custom-made autogenous vaccines, such as those developed by Vaxxinova, come into play.
What are co-infections?
Co-infections in pigs can involve both bacterial and viral agents, acting synergistically to increase disease severity and reduce vaccine effectiveness. Common co-infective scenarios include:
- Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and/or Swine Influenza Virus (SIV)
- Glaesserella parasuis and/or Streptococcus suis co-infecting the central nervous system with or without a viral pre-cursor of PRRSV or SIV
- Escherichia coli and rotavirus in neonatal diarrhea
These co-infections can complicate diagnosis, limit the efficacy of commercial vaccines (which may target only one pathogen), and result in more severe clinical signs, prolonged disease courses, and greater economic losses.
Autogenous vaccines provide customized protection.
Autogenous vaccines are custom-made using pathogen isolates collected from a specific herd. They are especially valuable when:
- Commercial vaccines are unavailable or ineffective against local strains.
- Multiple pathogens need to be addressed simultaneously.
- Resistance patterns or emerging diseases are of concern.
What producers can do.
Producers can submit their farm’s current isolates or swabs to Vaxxinova’s diagnostics lab. Diagnostics shippers can be obtained by reaching out to Vaxxinova at info.us@vaxxinova.com or requesting a kit from their website at https://vaxxinova.us.com/tools/.
What Vaxxinova will do.
Pathogens will be grown and antigens isolated using Vaxxinova’s patented techniques. Vaxxinova uses cutting edge tools, such as whole genome sequencing (WGS), to determine the genetic makeup of a pathogen to personalize vaccines once samples are received at their state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory. With the use of WGS, Vaxxinova’s scientists can isolate, identify, and precisely determine the exact disease-causing pathogens circulating in a farm’s herd; allowing for better selection, which in turn helps provide a better immune response.
Depending on the herd’s needs, vaccines will then be produced with the appropriate adjuvants, dosing regimens (e.g., one- or two-dose protocols), and delivery formats to support efficient implementation in swine production systems.
Also, Vaxxinova proudly brings producers SRP® Technology – a unique patented way to make vaccines. SRP vaccines work by starving bacteria of iron, an essential element for bacterial health. SRP technology was discovered and developed in Vaxxinova’s laboratories, and they are the only manufacturer of this technology. When appropriate, SRP vaccines may be a wonderful part of a custom vaccine portfolio.
Conclusion
Using autogenous vaccines allows producers to directly address the specific pathogens and strains driving disease in their barns, especially in complex co-infection cases. Vaxxinova offers a powerful tool to manage these challenges through custom-formulated autogenous vaccines, backed by diagnostics, advanced vaccine technology, and veterinary support. For producers looking to fine-tune their health protocols and protect against the pathogens that matter most in their barns, autogenous vaccines represent a practical and effective solution. For more information, contact a representative at info.us@vaxxinova.com or call (800) 220-2522.
