Ghent University to Investigate M. hyo

December 20, 2006 — 

A major 4-year project has been announced by researchers at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University. This work aims to clarify the epidemiology and etiology of swine infections caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae .

This project follows previous research at the University which has shown that M. hyo isolates differ with regard to their genetic make-up and their virulence.

Professor Dr. Dominiek Maes, project coordinator said: "At the moment we do not know to what extent M. hyo isolates vary within pig herds. For example, whether the isolates that infect young pigs are the same as those in older pigs."

"Although current vaccines are an economically justified way of controlling the disease for individual pig farmers, it is unknown exactly how vaccination influences the diversity of M. hyo strains on individual farms, or exactly which antigens within the M. hyo cell induce the best protection."

Source:
Pig Progress.net