Comparison of real-time PCR and culture isolation in colostrum-deprived pigs immunized and challenged with Haemophilus parasuis

Aims: A real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) based on the detection of the infB gene of Haemophilus parasuis is compared with culture isolation (Frandoloso et al., (2011) Clin Vaccine Immunol 18 , 50–58.), evaluating different subunit or commercial vaccines. Methods and Results: Samples from different tissues of 24 experimentally infected and challenged colostrum‐deprived piglets were tested. The RT‐PCR gave globally a 23·3% more of positive results than culture, and all samples being positive by culture were positive by RT‐PCR also. H. parasuis could not be cultured from any of the samples of the piglets included in the three vaccinated groups resulting in a strong protection, but it could be detected by RT‐PCR in six samples in the group immunized with the commercial vaccine, in three in that vaccinated with native proteins with affinity to porcine transferrin (NPAPT) administered intramuscularly and in only two in that immunized with NPAPT intratracheally. Conclusions: The RT‐PCR was more sensitive than culture for H. parasuis detection in the organs compared. Significance and Impact of the Study: The RT‐PCR evidenced that NPAPT vaccines were those yielding the best protection results in terms of H. parasuis clearance.