Merck Animal Health has introduced PORCILIS ILEITIS, the first injectable vaccine that offers a 20-week duration of immunity (DOI) for control of ileitis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis.

Ileitis can significantly impact the health and performance of finishing pigs; curbing average daily gain by 38% and feed efficiency by 27%, the announcement said.

Given as a single, intramuscular vaccination to pigs as young as three weeks of age, PORCILIS ILEITIS provides longer protection — 13 additional weeks — compared to water-administered vaccines on the market. It helps pigs maintain optimal health and efficient production performance until market. PORCILIS ILEITIS controls the disease, reduces colonization of L. intracellularis and reduces duration and concentration of fecal shedding, Merck said. Results of a challenge study show that PORCILIS ILEITIS also was able to induce L. intracellularis antibody titers and control both gross and microscopic lesions.

Merck Animal Health’s proprietary MICROSOL DILUVAC FORTE adjuvant system, designed specifically for pigs, plays a key role in the vaccine’s efficacy. The adjuvant, also used in CIRCUMVENT G2, has an track record of creating longer and stronger immunity, which means when there’s an actual real-world exposure, a pig’s immune system will respond rapidly, Merck said.