{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T18:22:15Z","timestamp":1785435735287,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,8]],"date-time":"2026-06-08T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780876800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100012774","name":"Innovation Fund Denmark","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","award":["8088-00032B"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["8088-00032B"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100012774","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]},{"award":["8088-00032B"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["8088-00032B"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/00daj4111","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","award":["BG22-00150"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["BG22-00150"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]},{"award":["BG22-00150"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["BG22-00150"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/023ktd084","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Vaccines"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Post-weaning diarrhea remains a major challenge in pig production worldwide. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) encoding fimbriae of the F4 type and producing the heat-stable enterotoxin, STb, are one of the important causes of this disease. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether vaccination of pregnant sows with a novel capsid virus-like particle (cVLP)-based vaccine against F4 and STb (cVLP-FaeG\/cVLP-STb) could enhance performance in piglets born after such vaccinated sows. Methods: A field trial was conducted in a commercial sow-to-finisher pig herd. Thirty-five sows were vaccinated twice with the cVLP-FaeG\/cVLP-STb vaccine prior to farrowing, while thirty-five control sows were vaccinated twice with commercial vaccines normally used in the herd. Piglets were followed until eight weeks post-weaning to assess antibody responses, diarrhea and treatment incidences, pathogen shedding, and growth performance. Results: Piglets born from immunized sows receiving the cVLP vaccine showed significantly higher serum antibody levels against ETEC F4 throughout the post-weaning period (p \u2264 0.021). The frequency of pathogen detection was similar between groups, while piglets in the cVLP group exhibited significantly lower diarrhea scores at week 6 (p = 0.047), showed a trend of requiring fewer treatments (p = 0.06) and had significantly higher final body weight (p = 0.048). In addition, the cVLP group showed a significantly greater average daily gain over the study period (p = 0.037). Conclusion: Sow immunization with the cVLP vaccine enhanced passive immune protection of piglets, resulting in reduced antimicrobial treatment 2 weeks post-weaning and improved growth performance.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/vaccines14060515","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,8]],"date-time":"2026-06-08T10:04:14Z","timestamp":1780913054000},"page":"515","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Field Testing of a Virus-Particle-Based Sow Vaccine Against F4 and STb-Positive Escherichia coli"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1082-6004","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Priscila R.","family":"Guerra","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigb\u00f8jlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-0017-9256","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Elisabeth O.","family":"Nielsen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"SEGES Innovation P\/S, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1342-4737","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ikhlaq H.","family":"Kana","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 K\u00f8benhavn, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"S\u00f8ren K.","family":"Boldsen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"SEGES Innovation P\/S, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5459-8325","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Vanesa","family":"Garc\u00eda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigb\u00f8jlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark"},{"name":"Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostella, 27002 Lugo, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5026-7852","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ana","family":"Herero-Fresno","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigb\u00f8jlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark"},{"name":"Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Santiago de Compostella, 27002 Lugo, Spain"},{"name":"Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4948-9946","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nicole B.","family":"Goecke","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigb\u00f8jlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2668-4992","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Morten A.","family":"Nielsen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 K\u00f8benhavn, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8782-7830","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adam F.","family":"Sander","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 K\u00f8benhavn, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6225-6587","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"John E.","family":"Olsen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigb\u00f8jlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,8]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.1079\/AHR2005105","article-title":"Escherichia coli in postweaning diarrhoea in pigs: An update on bacterial types, pathogenesis, and prevention strategies","volume":"6","author":"Fairbrother","year":"2005","journal-title":"Anim. Health Res. Rev."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"657","DOI":"10.3390\/ani4040657","article-title":"Effects of Transport at Weaning on the Behavior, Physiology and Performance of Pigs","volume":"4","author":"Sutherland","year":"2014","journal-title":"Animals"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rvsc.2020.12.022","article-title":"Development of Piglet Gut Microbiota at the Time of Weaning Influences Development of Postweaning Diarrhea\u2013A Field Study","volume":"135","author":"Karasova","year":"2021","journal-title":"Res. Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"851","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tim.2017.05.004","article-title":"Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Postweaning Piglets: Understanding the Keys to Health","volume":"25","author":"Gresse","year":"2017","journal-title":"Trends Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mat\u00edas, J., Berzosa, M., Pastor, Y., Irache, J.M., and Gamazo, C. (2017). Maternal Vaccination. Immunization of Sows during Pregnancy against ETEC Infections. Vaccines, 5.","DOI":"10.3390\/vaccines5040048"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1186\/s40813-022-00252-3","article-title":"Impact of Maternally Derived Immunity on Immune Responses Elicited by Piglet Early Vaccination against the Most Common Pathogens Involved in Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex","volume":"8","author":"Sibila","year":"2022","journal-title":"Porc. Health Manag."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Peng, F., Zhang, H., He, X., and Song, Z. (2023). Early Flora Colonization Affects Intestinal Immunoglobulin G Uptake in Piglets, Which May Be Mediated by NF-\u039aB-FcRn Pathway. Front. Microbiol., 14.","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2023.1136513"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1016\/j.vetimm.2012.09.024","article-title":"ETEC Vaccination in Pigs","volume":"152","author":"Melkebeek","year":"2013","journal-title":"Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"127","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-0716-3469-1_9","article-title":"Design and Purification of Tag\/Catcher AP205-Based Capsid Virus-Like Particle Vaccines","volume":"Volume 2720","author":"Aves","year":"2024","journal-title":"Methods in Molecular Biology"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fredsgaard, L., Goks\u00f8yr, L., Thrane, S., Aves, K.L., Theander, T.G., and Sander, A.F. (2021). Head-to-Head Comparison of Modular Vaccines Developed Using Different Capsid Virus-like Particle Backbones and Antigen Conjugation Systems. Vaccines, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/vaccines9060539"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Aves, K.L., Guerra, P.R., Fresno, A.H., Saraiva, M.M.S., Cox, E., B\u00e6kbo, P.J., Nielsen, M.A., Sander, A.F., and Olsen, J.E. (2023). A Virus-like Particle-Based F4 Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli Vaccine Is Inhibited by Maternally Derived Antibodies in Piglets but Generates Robust Responses in Sows. Pathogens, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/pathogens12121388"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.1177\/1040638719890863","article-title":"Development of a High-Throughput Real-Time PCR System for Detection of Enzootic Pathogens in Pigs","volume":"32","author":"Goecke","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Vet. Diagn. Investig."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12387","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.1919683117","article-title":"L-Arginine Sensing Regulates Virulence Gene Expression and Disease Progression in Enteric Pathogens","volume":"117","author":"Kumar","year":"2020","journal-title":"Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kim, K., Song, M., Liu, Y., and Ji, P. (2022). Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli Infection of Weaned Pigs: Intestinal Challenges and Nutritional Intervention to Enhance Disease Resistance. Front. Immunol., 13.","DOI":"10.3389\/fimmu.2022.885253"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"170","DOI":"10.1186\/1743-422X-8-170","article-title":"Immunogenicity and Safety of Virus-like Particle of the Porcine Encephalomyocarditis Virus in Pig","volume":"8","author":"Jeoung","year":"2011","journal-title":"Virol. J."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Aves, K.L., Fresno, A.H., Nisar, S., Saraiva, M.M., Goecke, N.B., Sander, A.F., Nielsen, M.A., Olsen, J.E., and Guerra, P.R. (2025). Outer Membrane Proteins as Vaccine Targets Against Lawsonia Intracellularis in Piglets. Vaccines, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/vaccines13020207"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"17539","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-021-96957-6","article-title":"Serum Protein Electrophoretic Pattern in Piglets during the Early Postnatal Period","volume":"11","author":"Link","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Niewiesk, S. (2014). Maternal Antibodies: Clinical Significance, Mechanism of Interference with Immune Responses, and Possible Vaccination Strategies. Front. Immunol., 5.","DOI":"10.3389\/fimmu.2014.00446"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Salam, M.A., Al-Amin, M.Y., Salam, M.T., Pawar, J.S., Akhter, N., Rabaan, A.A., and Alqumber, M.A.A. (2023). Antimicrobial Resistance: A Growing Serious Threat for Global Public Health. Healthcare, 11.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202305.0555.v1"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Huber, L., Hallenberg, G.S., Lunha, K., Leangapichart, T., Jiwakanon, J., Hickman, R.A., Magnusson, U., Sunde, M., J\u00e4rhult, J.D., and Van Boeckel, T.P. (2021). Geographic Drivers of Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Pigs in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. Front. Vet. Sci., 8.","DOI":"10.3389\/fvets.2021.659051"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Moura, P., Sandberg, M., H\u00f8g, B.B., Niza-Ribeiro, J., Nielsen, E.O., and Alban, L. (2023). Characterisation of Antimicrobial Usage in Danish Pigs in 2020. Front. Vet. Sci., 10.","DOI":"10.3389\/fvets.2023.1155811"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alexopoulos, J.G., Lines, D.S., Hallett, S., and Plush, K.J. (2018). A Review of Success Factors for Piglet Fostering in Lactation. Animals, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani8030038"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"469","DOI":"10.1017\/S0021859605005642","article-title":"Nutritional and Immunological Importance of Colostrum for the New-Born Pig","volume":"143","author":"Rooke","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Agric. Sci."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8057","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-35277-3","article-title":"The Impact of Birth Weight, Birth Order, Birth Asphyxia, and Colostrum Intake per Se on Growth and Immunity of the Suckling Piglets","volume":"13","author":"Vodolazska","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107173","DOI":"10.1016\/j.actatropica.2024.107173","article-title":"The Immune Response of Pregnant Sow after Vaccination with Crude Fimbriae (F4) Extracts Vaccine and Immunoprotection of Nursery Pig against Pathogenic E. Coli (F4+ETEC)","volume":"254","author":"Nguyet","year":"2024","journal-title":"Acta Trop."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1186\/1751-0147-50-21","article-title":"Risk factors for post-weaning diarrhoea on piglet producing farms in Finland","volume":"50","author":"Laine","year":"2008","journal-title":"Acta Vet. Scand."}],"container-title":["Vaccines"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-393X\/14\/6\/515\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,10]],"date-time":"2026-06-10T04:22:26Z","timestamp":1781065346000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-393X\/14\/6\/515"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,8]]},"references-count":26,"journal-issue":{"issue":"6","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6]]}},"alternative-id":["vaccines14060515"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/vaccines14060515","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-393X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-393X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,8]]}}}