First commercial C. perfringens type A vaccine

The product, called C. perfringens, type A Toxoid, manufactured by Novartis, should only be used in swine.

The vaccine includes a proprietary dual-component adjuvant formulation that plays an important role in the effectiveness of this vaccine. It is safe for use in healthy pigs, including bred gilts or sows and feeder pigs.

Development of a C. perfringens, type A vaccine has been challenging because of the unpredictable nature of the bacteria.

The bacteria naturally resides in the swine intestine, but it remains one of the leading causes of diarrhoea in neonatal pigs.

It is said that diarrhoea in the first couple days of life can cause lower weaning weights, which directly affects survival in the nursery and grow/finish phase.

Environmental factors, including a drafty room or a change in the season, may trigger this type of infections. In addition to vaccination, pre-farrowing and neonatal management are critical to keep infection at bay.