Research Article | 11 Sep 2025

Goat-derived hyperimmune colostrum and milk following vaccination with live-attenuated and inactivated porcine epidemic diarrhea virus: Safety and immunogenicity evaluation

Poonnika Suvannabha1, Pimpakarn Suwan2, Alongkot Boonsoongnern2 , Niorn Ratanapob3 , Yonlayong Woonwong2 , Manakorn Sukmak2 , and Prapassorn Boonsoongnern4 Show more
VETERINARY WORLD | pg no. 2689-2698 | Vol. 18, Issue 9 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.2689-2698
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Abstract

          
Background and Aim: Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly contagious enteric pathogen causing severe diar­rhea and high mortality in neonatal piglets. Maternal lactogenic immunity, conveyed through colostrum and milk, is essen­tial for protection; however, sow-derived antibodies may be insufficient in certain production systems. This study aimed to produce PEDV-specific hyperimmune colostrum and milk from goats and evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of live-attenuated and inactivated PEDV vaccines.
Materials and Methods: Preliminary safety trials were performed in male goats (n = 6) to monitor clinical signs and adverse reactions after intramuscular vaccination. Ten pregnant Saanen goats were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 5 each) and immunized twice, 8 and 4 weeks before parturition, with either live-attenuated (1 × 105 50% tissue culture infectious dose [TCID50]/mL) or inactivated (1 × 106 TCID50/mL) PEDV vaccine. Serum was collected on days 0 and 28 post-vaccination, and colostrum/milk samples were obtained on days 0, 2, 7, and 14 postpartum for virus neutralization (VN) assays. Fecal samples were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to detect viral shedding.
Results: Both vaccines were well tolerated, with only transient fever observed in three goats. No severe adverse reac­tions occurred in pregnant goats. The live-attenuated vaccine elicited higher VN titers in serum (peak 1:32) and colostrum (peak 1:2048) compared with the inactivated vaccine (serum peak 1:16; colostrum peak 1:512). Day 0 colostrum titers were significantly greater in the live vaccine group (p = 0.028). Although titers remained higher in this group on days 2, 7, and 14, differences were not statistically significant. Viral RNA shedding was absent in the inactivated group and transient in the live group, persisting up to 7 days in one goat.
Conclusion: Vaccination of pregnant goats with live-attenuated or inactivated PEDV vaccines is safe and induces PEDV-specific antibodies in colostrum and milk. The live-attenuated vaccine generated the highest titers, indicating potential for producing goat-derived hyperimmune colostrum as an alternative passive immunization strategy for neonatal piglets. Field trials are warranted to confirm protective efficacy and explore integration into PEDV control programs.
          
Keywords: goat colostrum, hyperimmune milk, neutralizing antibody titer, passive immunity, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, vaccine safety.