Coliprotec F4/F18

Coliprotec F4/F18 is a vaccine used to protect pigs from 18 days of age against post-weaning diarrhoea caused by E. coli. Although E. coli bacteria are naturally found in the gut, some strains (known as enterotoxigenic strains) produce toxins that cause diarrhoea and can result in dehydration, weight loss and occasionally death of the animal. This is more likely to occur at weaning time when the piglet no longer receives protecting antibodies through the sow’s milk.

Coliprotec F4/F18 contains two strains of live E. coli bacteria (O8:K87 and O141:K94) which do not produce toxins that cause disease.

Coliprotec F4/F18 is available as a lyophilisate (a freeze-dried pellet) which is made up into a suspension with water to be given by mouth.

Coliprotec F4/F18 is given by mouth to pigs as a single dose either as a drench or by addition to the drinking water. The vaccine starts to be effective 7 days after vaccination and protection lasts for 21 days after vaccination. The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.

For further information, see the package leaflet.

Coliprotec F4/F18 is a vaccine. Vaccines work by ‘teaching’ the immune system (the body’s natural defences) how to defend itself against a disease. The types of E. coli associated with post-weaning diarrhoea often produce proteins called F4 and F18 on their outer coat that allows them to attach to the cells of the gut. The strains of bacteria in the vaccine have these proteins but do not produce the toxins that cause the disease.

When Coliprotec F4/F18 is given to pigs, the animals’ immune system recognises the bacteria as ‘foreign’ and makes antibodies against them. In the future, if the animals are exposed to disease-causing bacteria with the F4 or F18 proteins, the immune system will be able to respond more quickly. This will help protect the pigs against the infection and reduce the risk of disease.

The effectiveness of the vaccine was studied in four laboratory studies in pigs that looked chiefly at the incidence, severity and duration of diarrhoea as well as the presence of disease-causing E. coli in the animals’ excrement. Pigs aged 17 – 18 days were vaccinated with Coliprotec F4/F18 and then artificially infected with E. coli strains. Two studies used the F4 strain while the other two used the F18 strain. The vaccine reduced the number of pigs with moderate to severe diarrhoea compared to non-vaccinated pigs. Two studies showed the vaccine starts to be effective 7 days after vaccination and two studies showed protection lasts for 21 days after vaccination.

There are currently no known side effects associated with Coliprotec F4/F18.

Personal protective equipment consisting of protective disposable gloves and safety glasses should be worn when handling the vaccine.

In case of accidental ingestion, medical advice should be sought immediately and the package leaflet or label shown to the doctor. In case of spillage onto skin, the affected area should be rinsed with water and medical advice should be sought immediately and the package leaflet or label shown to the doctor.

The withdrawal period is the time required after administration of a medicine before an animal can be slaughtered and the meat used for human consumption.

The withdrawal period for meat from pigs treated with Coliprotec F4/F18 is ‘zero’ days, which means there is no mandatory waiting time.

The Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) concluded that Coliprotec F4/F18’s benefits are greater than its risks and recommended that it be approved for use in the EU.

The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU for Coliprotec F4/F18 on 9 January 2017.

For more information about treatment with Coliprotec F4/F18, animal owners or keepers should read the package leaflet or contact their veterinarian or pharmacist.