A healthy piglet protected by an immune shield, symbolizing enhanced vaccine efficacy against PRRSV.

Boosting Swine Health: Can This Saponin-Vaccine Combo Beat PRRSV?

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how combining saponin quil A with a modified-live virus vaccine can revolutionize the fight against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) in pigs."

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) is a major threat to the swine industry worldwide, leading to significant economic losses due to reproductive failures, respiratory diseases, and poor growth in pigs. Understanding how to combat this virus effectively is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of swine populations.

Traditional vaccines have shown limitations in providing comprehensive protection against the diverse strains of PRRSV. Modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines, while commonly used, often elicit a delayed and weak immune response. This has prompted researchers to explore novel strategies to enhance vaccine efficacy and broaden the spectrum of protection.

Recent studies have focused on the potential of adjuvants—substances that boost the immune response—to improve the performance of PRRSV vaccines. Saponin quil A, a natural compound known for its immunostimulatory properties, has shown promise in upregulating key immune genes and cytokines. This article delves into a new study investigating the combined effects of quil A and a PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine, offering insights into a potential breakthrough in PRRSV prevention and control.

How Does Quil A Enhance Immunity Against PRRSV?

A healthy piglet protected by an immune shield, symbolizing enhanced vaccine efficacy against PRRSV.

A recent study published in Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology explored the immunostimulatory effects of quil A when used in conjunction with a PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine. The research aimed to determine if quil A could enhance the cross-protective immunity of the vaccine against PRRSV-2 challenge. Twenty-four 4-week-old PRRSV-seronegative pigs were divided into four groups:

Group 1: Vaccinated with PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine.
Group 2: Vaccinated with PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine and injected with quil A.
Group 3: Injected with PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine solvent (challenge control).
Group 4: Strict control group (no treatment).

Groups 1-3 were challenged intranasally with PRRSV-2 at 28 days post-vaccination (dpv), and immune and clinical parameters were observed for 49 days.

The study revealed significant benefits from the combined treatment:

Reduced Viremia: Group 1 pigs showed significantly reduced PRRSV viremia and fewer viremic pigs compared to Group 3.
Enhanced Gene Expression: Group 2 pigs exhibited increased mRNA expressions of interferon regulatory factor 3, 2'-5'-oligoadenylatesynthetase 1, osteopontin, IFNa, IFNẞ, IFNy, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor alpha compared to Group 1.
Clinical Improvements: Group 2 pigs also demonstrated reduced PRRSV viremia and fewer viremic pigs, suggesting a more robust immune response.

Why This Matters for Swine Health Management

This study highlights the potential of quil A as an effective immunostimulator to enhance cell-mediated immune defense against PRRSV. The findings suggest that combining quil A with PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine can significantly reduce viremia and improve clinical outcomes in pigs challenged with PRRSV-2. This approach offers a promising avenue for developing more effective strategies to combat PRRSV, safeguarding swine health and reducing economic losses in the swine industry.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), and why is it a concern for the swine industry?

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) is a major threat to the swine industry globally. It leads to significant economic losses due to reproductive failures, respiratory diseases, and poor growth in pigs. Therefore, effectively combating this virus is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of swine populations. The limitations of traditional vaccines in providing comprehensive protection against the diverse strains of PRRSV, combined with the delayed and weak immune response elicited by modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines, have prompted researchers to explore novel strategies to enhance vaccine efficacy and broaden the spectrum of protection.

How does the combination of saponin quil A and a modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine work against PRRSV in pigs?

Saponin quil A acts as an immunostimulator when co-administered with a Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV)-1 modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine. This combination enhances the immune response, specifically the cell-mediated immune defense, against PRRSV. In a study, pigs vaccinated with the PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine and injected with quil A showed increased mRNA expressions of interferon regulatory factor 3, 2'-5'-oligoadenylatesynthetase 1, osteopontin, IFNa, IFNẞ, IFNy, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. These pigs also experienced reduced viremia and fewer viremic occurrences when challenged with PRRSV-2. This indicates a more robust immune response and improved clinical outcomes compared to using the vaccine alone.

What were the main findings of the study that examined the use of quil A with a PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine?

The study revealed that combining quil A with a Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV)-1 modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine led to several significant improvements. Pigs treated with both quil A and the vaccine demonstrated reduced PRRSV viremia and fewer instances of viremia. Furthermore, they exhibited enhanced gene expression of key immune components such as interferon regulatory factor 3, 2'-5'-oligoadenylatesynthetase 1, osteopontin, IFNa, IFNẞ, IFNy, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. These findings suggest that quil A effectively boosts the immune response induced by the PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine, leading to better protection against PRRSV-2.

Why is viremia reduction an important outcome in the context of PRRSV, and how did the study demonstrate this?

Viremia reduction is an important outcome because it indicates that the virus is less prevalent in the pig's system, reducing the severity and duration of the infection. The study showed that pigs vaccinated with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV)-1 modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine and injected with quil A had significantly reduced viremia when challenged with PRRSV-2. This reduction in viremia, along with fewer viremic pigs, demonstrates that the combination of quil A and the vaccine enhances the immune response, effectively controlling the viral load and improving clinical outcomes.

Could the combined use of saponin quil A and a PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine transform swine health management, and what are the potential economic implications for the swine industry?

Yes, the combined use of saponin quil A and a Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV)-1 modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine has the potential to transform swine health management by providing a more effective strategy to combat PRRSV. The improved immune response and reduced viremia observed in the study suggest that this approach could significantly reduce the incidence and severity of PRRSV infections. The economic implications for the swine industry are substantial, as reducing PRRSV-related reproductive failures, respiratory diseases, and poor growth can lead to increased productivity, lower veterinary costs, and improved overall profitability. This advancement could provide a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for managing PRRSV, ultimately safeguarding the health and economic stability of the swine industry.