Pigs Find Relief Against E. coli Infection in Edible Vaccine from GE Tobacco Seeds

Researchers from Italy are exploring alternatives to antibiotics for livestock piglets by developing an oral vaccine for diarrhea and enterotoxaemia caused by Escherichia coli. The oral vaccine is made from genetically engineered (GE) tobacco seeds and was found to have favorable results after a multi-disciplinary testing approach on weaned piglets.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of GE tobacco seeds-based oral vaccine against the verocytotoxin O138 E. coli strain in weaned piglets. Thirty-six piglets divided into two groups were used in the evaluation study. The vaccinated group received GE tobacco seed line expressing antigens, while the control group received wild-type tobacco seeds. Within almost a month, the piglets were given the tobacco seeds, challenged to the E. coli strain, and fed with a high-protein diet. Zootechnical, clinical, microbiological, and immunological parameters were observed and tested within the study period. The researchers found that the control group recorded a higher fecal score compared to the vaccinated group. The same group also had a shorter shedding period of the pathogenic strain. In addition, the vaccinated group developed a higher concentration of immunoglobulins compared to the control group.

In conclusion, the edible vaccine derived from GE tobacco seeds provided protection on clinical symptoms of diarrhea in weaned livestock piglets. The findings exhibit prospects for developing GE plant-based oral vaccines for animals that can support sustainable livestock development and improvement on animal health that will rely less on the use of antibiotics.

Read the full article in Antibiotics for more information.