To prevent performance loss from porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD), producers need flexible and comprehensive solutions to fight every strain of porcine circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) in any situation with confidence. Having first been identified in 2012, today PCV2d is the predominant genotype circulating in the United States, accounting for more than 90% of PCV2 infections.^1-3  

An extensive body of research has demonstrated that Ingelvac CircoFLEX^®, a PCV2a-based vaccine, can provide heterologous cross-protection against PCV2d.^{1, 4-7} Producers can rely on this trusted vaccine to protect their herds from the harmful effects of PCVAD. But, in some scenarios, prevention of PCV2d’s clinical impact calls for a different approach.

Your d-FENSE against PCV2d

In worst-case PCVAD scenarios, such as a PCV2d infection along with severe co-infections, some pigs within vaccinated populations can still present clinical signs. In these cases, PCV2d infection can be perceived as lingering in “the corners of the room,” negatively impacting small numbers of vaccinated pigs and ultimately driving down overall herd performance.

To stay ahead on PVCAD management and provide producers and veterinarians with another tool in their toolbox, Boehringer Ingelheim introduced d-FENSE, the swine industry’s first PCV2d-based killed baculovirus vector vaccine. It is designed to provide a different approach for extreme PCVAD presentations.

“Dynamic problems require dynamic solutions,” said Dr. John Waddell, Director, Key Account Veterinarians, Swine at Boehringer Ingelheim. “PCV2 isn’t standing pat, so neither should our approach to controlling it. With d-FENSE, Boehringer Ingelheim is helping producers tackle this complex disease with confidence.”

Proven protection

Research has demonstrated that vaccination with d-FENSE is safe and delivers efficacy and robustness under severe PCVAD conditions.

The vaccine’s efficacy was demonstrated in a vaccination-challenge study that compared pigs separated into three groups: non-vaccinated controls, pigs receiving INGELVAC CIRCOFLEX, a PCV2a-based vaccine, and pigs receiving d-FENSE, a PCV2d-based vaccine. In the study, which replicated worst-case PCVAD field conditions, pigs vaccinated with d-FENSE and INGELVAC CIRCOFLEX both demonstrated a significant reduction in lymphoid lesion severity and viral replication compared to non-vaccinated pigs. In terms of robustness, the d-FENSE group demonstrated improvement in pathology and virology parameters under a severe disease challenge. In the same study, which involved both viral and bacterial challenges, pigs vaccinated with d-FENSE required fewer treatments in the acute phase of PCVAD.⁸

See the full study results, and talk to your Boehringer Ingelheim representative for more information.

References:

¹ Payne B, Jacobs, Dvorak C, et al. PCV2 vaccine cross-protection: Identification of sequences in successfully vaccinated field cases, in Proceedings. AASV Annual Meeting 2016;202–206.

² Franzo G, Cortey M, Segalés J, et al. Phylodynamic analysis of porcine circovirus Type 2 reveals global waves of emerging genotypes and the circulation of recombinant forms. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016;100:269–280.

³ Schwartz KJ, personal communication.

⁴ Fano E, Schaefer N, Schmaling E, et al. Comparison of efficacy between two PCV2 vaccination protocols under PCV2d field exposure, in Proceedings. AASV Annu Meet 2017;95–97.

⁵ Fano E et al. Comparison of efficacy between two PCV2 vaccines under PCV2d experimental exposure, in Proceedings. AASV 2021.

⁶ Philips R, Fano E, Schmaling E, Edler R. A severe PRDC challenge and the effect of a trivalent PRDC vaccine for PCV2, Mhp and PRRS. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Health Management Center (HMC), Field Research Services. 2018.

⁷ Friedrich R, Patterson AR, Johnson W, et al. Efficacy of porcine circovirus Type 2a– and 2d– based vaccines following PCV2 challenge. J Vaccines Vaccination 2019;10(2):1–5.

⁸ Fano E et al. Exploring the efficacy of a PCV2d-based vaccine under current severe PCVAD conditions, in Proceedings. AASV 2022.

INGELVAC CIRCOFLEX ^®, is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under license. ©2022 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All Rights Reserved. US-POR-0030-2022-V3