Impact of maternally-derived antibodies against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium on the bacterial load in suckling piglets

The significance of maternal immunity against non-typhoid Salmonella spp. acquired by piglets via colostrum and milk was evaluated in a Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium challenge experiment. Piglets from sows vaccinated with an experimental inactivated vaccine exhibited high levels of serum immunoglobulins G and A against S. Typhimurium 4 days after birth, just prior to experimental oral challenge. The S. Typhimurium load in the ileal and caecal wall of piglets 3 days after experimental inoculation was lower by a 2-log magnitude compared to unvaccinated controls. Such a vaccine, delivering colostral/lactogenic immunity to piglets thus has the potential to reduce the prevalence non-typhoid Salmonella spp. infection.