Prophylactic application of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 in swine with acute experimental infections. II. Bacterial infections: pleuropneumonia and swine erysipelas.

The potent immunomodifier Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 (PA) demonstrated prophylactic potency in swine infected experimentally with Haemophilus (Actinobacillus) pleuropneumoniae or Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Animals received PA either together with the respective vaccine or PA only; 3 resp. 4 weeks later all animals were inoculated with virulent pathogens. Eight of 10 swine immunized with inactivated pleuropneumonia vaccine developed mild-moderate forms of infection with temporary stagnation of body weight; application of the vaccine together with PA lowered the morbidity rate to 1 of 10 (p < 0.05). Also in non-vaccinated swine infected with pleuropneumonia or erysipelas PA application resulted in milder clinical symptoms, faster recovery and a larger gain of body weight.