[Verification of peroral vaccination of pigs against enteropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli].

In a large herd of pigs where the parenteral immunisation of pregnant sows by polyvalent vaccine against enteral coliinfections of new-born piglets was performed successfully for several years, an increased occurrence of diseases and mortality of sucking piglets was observed. After screening tests in the herd, six strains of E. coli, differing from the strains contained in the commercial vaccine, were isolated. The obtained strains were employed for preparation of peroral vaccine for sows by means of the modified method after Kohler. In two cycles of sows (48 animals in experimental group and 60 animals in control group), this method was compared with the effectiveness of the commonly used commercial polyvalent parenteral vaccine against enteral E. coli infections of new-born piglets (manufactured by Bioveta, Ivanovice in Haná). In experimental sow groups vaccinated perorally by the new vaccine, the number of live-born piglets increased by 0.475 piglet per litter, the number of reared piglets up to the age of 28 days by 0.904 piglet per litter and the mortality till the age of 28 days decreased by 6.1% as compared with the control vaccinated by commercial vaccine. The results were not statistically significant. The advantages and disadvantages of both vaccination methods are discussed.