Despite widespread porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination in the growing pig population, occurrence of porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) can be observed particularly in larger production systems. Further investigations into these apparent vaccine failure cases often indicate the presence of porcine parvovirus type 2 (PPV2). The effect of PPV2 on growing pigs is unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the importance of PPV2 by producing a baculovirus-based subunit vaccine, test the vaccine in pigs, and if successful attempt to eliminate PPV2 in a portion of pigs via vaccination at weaning on one of two PCVAD farms. A PPV2 subunit vaccine was successfully produced in the baculovirus vector. When tested under experimental condition in pigs, vaccinated pigs did not develop detectable antibodies under the study conditions by 42 days post vaccination. Unfortunately, attempts to improve the vaccine by increasing the protein concentration, changing the adjuvant, adjusting the ELISA assay, and outsourcing the PPV2 protein expression were all unsuccessful indicating that an entirely new approach to building a PPV2 vaccine is needed.
Contribute to Pork Research
Discover how you can help improve the pork industry by checking out research RFPs or sharing your own ideas. If you have a research idea, we want to know! Here’s your chance to make a difference.