POULVAC E. COLI VACCINE; WEAPON FOR SUSTAINABLE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF COLIBACILLOSIS IN POULTRY

COLIBACILLOSIS

This is the localized or systemic infection caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia Coli (APEC). It manifests in diverse ways such as acute fata septicemia, subacute pericarditis, airsaculitis, salpingitis/ peritonitis, cellulitis and lymphocytic depletion of bursa and thymus.

This infection is seen worldwide in chickens, turkeys, etc. Morbidity varies, mortality is 5-20%. The infectious agent is moderately resistant in the environment, but is susceptible to disinfectants and to temperature of 80*c.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF COLIBACCILOSIS

Colibacillosis causes elevated morbidity and mortality leading to economic losses in the poultry farms especially around the peak of egg production, reduced FCR and carcass condemnation at processing in broilers.

In Layers

There is sudden mortality with the absence of typical clinical signs due to the stress factors associated with egg production and systemically accompany by decrease in egg production and increase of poor-quality eggs.

In Breeders

When contamination of eggs with E. Coli lead to decrease hatchability and when there is in ovo contamination during incubation of eggs, this will also lead to production of poor-quality chicks with poor livability.

In Broilers

When there is systemic infection, this will lead to poor FCR (feed conversion ratio) and increased mortality, skin infection will cause inflammation of subcutaneous tissue which will lead increase condemnation of carcass at processing level.

WHY VACCINATION AGAINST COLIBACILLOSIS

Vaccine is used to sustainably control and prevent colibacillosis in poultry farming as against continuous use of antibiotics which will cause increase antibiotics residue deposition in the meat which is a serious threat to human population.

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Also, continuous use of antibiotics to treat colibacillosis will greatly increase the cost of production as those antibiotics do not come cheap.

POULVAC E. COLI (ONLY E. COLI LIVE VACCINE COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE)

VACCINE CHARACTERISTICS: LIVE ARO A GENE DELETED E. COLI STRAIN EC34195

 Parental strain:                        

• Virulent E. Coli
• Isolated in the UK at CVL, Weybridge in 1995

Deletion of the aroA gene

• Responsible for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids
• Auxotrophic bacteria
• Not able to produce essential substances required for its growth anymore
• Therefore not able to replicate to form a self-sustaining population
• Self-limiting in nature
• Offers pretection against wide range of APEC (Avian Pathogenic E. Coli)

Pleas always remember:  DOES NOT REVERT TO VIRULENCE !!!!

PROVEN EFFICACY IN CHALLENGE STUDIES

• Onset of immunity – 14days
• Protects for at least up to 45weeks
• Offers cross protection against heterologous serotypes.

RECOMMENDED VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR POULVAC E. COLI

LAYERS AND BREEDERS

• 1^st Vaccination at day 1 (or 1^st week)
• 2^nd Vaccination at 10-14 weeks
• 3^rd Vaccination at 1^st week after transfer into production section

BROILERS

• Vaccination at day 1 or day 10
• It could be customized for some specific production

WHAT TO DO TO MAINTAIN VACCINE EFFICACY

• No antibiotics 7days before and after the application of Poulvac E. Coli
• Acidifier, chlorine and disinfectants should be removed 48hours before vaccination and 24hours after vaccination

DO NOT INACTIVATE THE VACCINE!!!

OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF POULVAC E. COLI VACCINE

The Poulvac E. Coli vaccine has been  registered with NAFDAC and is now available for sales in Nigeria through Zoetis authorized Poultry Vaccine distributors. Poulvac E. coli has been officially launched on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, this event was attended virtually by Poultry veterinarians, farmers and dignitaries from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Veterinary Council of Nigeria.

You can now purchase these products (2500DS & 5000DS) through Zoetis Distributors in Nigeria: Caesar & Jones Ltd – 0803 548 4276 and Chi Farms Ltd – 0802 089 6956, 0812 713 8650.

By

Dr Kehinde Adebowale (DVM)

Field Veterinarian, Zoetis-ALPHA