Effect of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and PCV2 coinfection

The objectives were to determine if PCV2 vaccination is effective in reducing disease and lesions associated with PRRSV and PCV2 coinfection and if there is a difference between intradermal (ID) and intramuscular (IM) route of PCV2 vaccination. Seventy-four, 21-day-old pigs were randomly allocated into one of six groups. On day 0, pigs were vaccinated with 2 ml Suvaxyn® PCV2 One Dose (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Inc.) by intramuscular (VAC-M-COINF) or intradermal (VAC-D-COINF) routes. On day 28, pigs were either singularly (PRRSV-only, PCV2-only) or coinfected (COINF) with PRRSV and PCV2. All pigs in all groups were necropsied on day 42. All vaccinated pigs seroconverted (IgM, IgG, and neutralizing antibodies) to PCV2 between 14 and 28 days post-vaccination. After challenge, all groups inoculated with PRRSV had reduced average daily gain compared to CONTROLS and PCV2-only (P < 0.001). COINF pigs had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced anti-PCV2-IgG antibody levels and neutralizing antibody levels compared to both vaccinated groups. COINF pigs had more severe lung lesions compared to VAC-M-COINF (P < 0.05). COINF pigs had higher amounts of PCV2 DNA in serum samples and feces (P < 0.05) and increased amounts of PCV2 in lymphoid tissues (P < 0.05) compared to both vaccinated groups. In summary, PCV2 vaccination was effective at inducing a neutralizing antibody response and significantly reducing PCV2-associated lesions and PCV2 viremia in pigs coinfected with PCV2 and PRRSV. Differences between intradermal and intramuscular routes of vaccine administration were not observed.