Protective effects of a transgenic carrot vaccine on piglet diarrhea

• Published in: Taehan Suŭi Hakhoe chi Vol. 51; no. 2
• Main Authors: Kim, Y.H., Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea, Nam, J.Y., Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea, Lee, H.K., Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea, Hwang, C.H., Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea, Han, J.H., Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 01.06.2011
• Subjects: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88ac; ESCHERICHIA COLI; maternal antibody; plant edible vaccine
• ISSN: 1225-0198

The study evaluated whether a transgenic carrot vaccine could induce a K88-specific immune response in sows and whether the resultant maternal antibody could protect piglets against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88ac infection. Sows (n = 15) selected randomly from a farm in Korea were assigned to three groups (n = 5 per group: control [untreated]), group A (orally inoculated with a non-transgenic and transgenic carrot vaccines at 2 and 4 weeks ante partum, respectively), and group B (conventionally vaccinated according to the manufacturer’s instructions). After 7 days of lactation, 5 piglets selected randomly from each group were challenged with 1 × 10∨10 colony forming units/mL ETEC K88ac. Group C had the lowest mean fecal consistency score on post-challenge days 1 and 7. Histiologically, On post-challenge day 7, group C showed an increased duodenum and ileum villus:crypt ratio, compared to group A in the duodenum, with group B displaying the highest ratio. Groups B and C had more increased villus width than group A in the jejunum. Group C displayed the greatest increase in villus width in the ileum. The colostrums and serum from groups B and C displayed higher concentrations of IgA and IgG against ETEC K88, compared to group A. Based on the results, it was concluded that the transgenic carrot vaccine in sow per oral may have an effect on preventing piglet diarrhea as good as commercial recombinant vaccine.