Early vaccination of calf heifers reduces paratuberculosis mortality
A study confirms the theoretical prediction related to the new concept of learned immunity and provides a practical tool to reduce the impact of the disease.
The mortality of rearing heifers due to paratuberculosis can be reduced by up to 35% in commercial farms only by vaccinating the animals in their first three months of life. This is the conclusion reached by the group of mycobacteria from the Department of Animal Health of the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research (NEIKER) in a study published in the latest issue of the scientific journal Vaccine.
This work is important as it confirms a theoretical prediction related to the new concept of trained immunity and, at the same time, provides a practical tool with a potential to reduce the impact of paratuberculosis and the use of antibiotics.
Study on more than 9,000 cows
The study has been carried out over 15 years on more than 9,000 cows in 30 farms in the Basque Country, and arose in response to the demands of the farmers to the Livestock Services of the three Basque Provincial Councils, which, together with the Basque Government , have financed its execution in collaboration with the company CZ Veterinaria that registered it with the AEMPS.
In this way, the study fully adjusts to the applied research model with the involvement of the company, administration and scientific institution to improve a productive sector and also consolidates new scientific knowledge.
Although this publication only does a survival analysis of annual casualties in an average population of 1,100 cows per year, more than 60,000 microbiological and immunological analyzes have been performed.
Greater effect during the first year of life
The greatest effect is observed before the age of presentation of paratuberculosis and in particular during the first year of life, when the animals are more sensitive to a wide variety of viral and bacterial infections that normally require the application of antibiotic treatments.
The greater survival of the rearing implies a greater sustainability of production as fewer resources are required to maintain the same level of production and greater animal welfare since sick leave and premature deviations are reduced.
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