Scientists have been awarded government funding to develop a vaccine that could help control Streptococcus suis, of one of the most common diseases affecting the UK pig population.
Streptococcus suis is a bacterial infection that can cause serious, and often fatal, disease in pigs that can also be transferred to humans working with them. It has been shown to affect more than 60% of pig farms in a number of countries across Europe, posing challenges for both the pork industry and public health
At present, there are no proven vaccines addressing the many strains of the disease, with infected pigs being treated using a number of different antibiotics.
The new project – led by The Vaccine Group, the University of Plymouth, and the University of Cambridge – aims to address that, pointing out that, with the UK Government targeting a 50% reduction in antibiotic use in livestock by 2030 – and a global drive to reduce the threats posed by antimicrobial resistance – an effective vaccine is urgently required.
The project, supported by a grant of just over £1million from Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK, will assess whether a vaccine candidate already shown to be effective against the most common strain of the disease can in fact protect pigs against multiple, if not all, known strains.
Dr Jeremy Salt, chief executive officer at The Vaccine Group, said: “For pig farmers across the UK, Streptococcus suis is a major cause for concern and can lead to significant losses – both in terms of animals and financially. As a zoonotic infection, there is also the risk of the disease being passed on to humans working in the industry.
“Our goal in developing an effective vaccine is stop the bacterial infection from developing in pigs and humans in the first place. By doing so, we can better protect the farmers, their animals and their livelihoods. We can also make pork production more efficient, humane and sustainable, at the same time helping the sector address the global challenges of antibiotic resistance and carbon emissions.”
The project brings together world-leading experts in vaccine development, antimicrobial resistance and veterinary medicine. It will build on previous research by The Vaccine Group and the University of Plymouth, through which the potential candidate for the Streptococcus suis vaccine was identified. It works by administering a harmless virus which in turn generates greater quantities of proteins that induce an immune response in the animals.
The new trials, carried out in conjunction with animal health specialists at Moredun Scientific Ltd, will explore its potential to protect against different and emerging strains of the disease.
The research team will also engage directly with the pig farming community, to ensure the vaccine not only meets their requirements but can also be administered in an efficient and cost-effective manner.