Effectiveness of transdermal, needle-free injections for reducing pork carcass defects

A needle-free, transdermal injection device was evaluated for effectiveness of vaccine delivery and for injection site lesions in swine. A total of 130 pigs were vaccinated for pseudorabies virus (PRV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae). Pigs were divided into three groups; one group served as unvaccinated controls, the second group was vaccinated with conventional hypodermic needles and the third group was vaccinated with a needle-free, airpowered transdermal injection device. Blood samples collected for up to 36 days post-injection showed that both injection methods produced similar serological responses that were significantly greater than for unvaccinated controls. Injection sites, collected at slaughter from each carcass, showed minimal development of lesions and no carcass defects. The results show the needle-free, transdermal injection system to be effective and safe. Elimination of needles will prevent residual needle fragments in carcasses and associated carcass defects that develop from needle-induced injection-site lesions. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.