Longitudinal study on the influence of sow and piglet vaccination on seroprevalence of Salmonella Typhimurium in rearing pigs and at slaughter in a farrow-to-finish production system

Piglet (SC) and sow vaccination (ST) led to significant reduction in detectable antibodies in a ST positive production chain and thus to reduced likelihood of infection during rearing. The results reflect that vaccination with a live attenuated SC vaccine resulted in cross-protection against ST without producing antibodies detectable by standard Salmonella LPS-ELISA. Summarizing all fattening farms, piglet vaccination reduced seroprevalence at the time of slaughter. In conclusion, sow and piglet vaccination with attenuated live vaccines against Salmonella are good instruments to reduce the infection pressure in the rearing period but need additional management measures to show effect on seroprevalence at slaughter.