articles about immunity

When foetuses develop in a heat-stressed gestation sow, a condition known as in utero heat stress occurs, and piglets may be born smaller with impaired gut microbiome and immune function. Additionally, these piglets show greater susceptibility to stress later in life. Although these consequences are not always immediately apparent, they are important to manage and prevent.

Boosting key performance indicators in swine production requires addressing viral pathogens, which remain a major challenge for swine health, performance, and farm profitability. Emerging strains, such as H1N2#E and devastating diseases like ASF, highlight the urgency for innovative control strategies. C12 monoglycerides represent a promising approach to enhance pigs’ immune defenses and mitigate viral impact.

Oral vaccination in pigs, previously limited to enteric pathogens, is emerging as an innovative strategy against respiratory diseases. By building on the potential of the Common Mucosal Immune System (CMIS), new formulations can trigger immune responses in distant mucosal sites starting from the gut.

By exploring the mechanisms of the Common Mucosal Immune System (CMIS), orally administered vaccines are capable of activating coordinated immune responses across different mucosal sites in the body. In this content, we explain how local activation in the GALT triggers protective effects in distant mucosal tissues, such as the respiratory tract, thereby expanding the reach of immune protection.

Beta glucans can boost the vaccinal response, thus helping to achieve an optimal vaccinal response. If they are supplied during enough time to cover the whole vaccination programme this strategy could be an option to improve the vaccine response.

Nutrition plays a major role in the immune response. The interaction of different dietary components with other factors such as environment, health status, and genetics plays an important role in modulating the immune response.

In this second installment, Antonio Palomo summarizes the papers and posters on health, immunology, and vaccines presented at the latest edition of the IPVS and ESPHM-ECPHM in Leipzig.

Depending on the levels of maternal derived immunity, a potential interference of vaccine intake may happen, jeopardizing vaccine seroconversion and efficacy.

Are we forgetting the importance of vitamin levels in the post-weaning diet in the post-zinc oxide era?

We conclude this two-part series by Professor Pejsak by examining how immune stress affects the pig's body, gut, and production.

What exactly goes on in a pig's body when exposed to acute or chronic stress? What implications does stress have on production? Professor Pejsak draws on decades of research to answer to explain.

Bacteria in the gut microbiota that stimulate the immune response to vaccines in pigs also stimulate growth.