Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: from disease to vaccine development

Abstract

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the etiological agent of swine enzootic pneumonia (EP), a disease that affects swine production worldwide. Vaccination is the most cost-effective strategy for the control and prevention of the disease. Despite efforts to control M. hyopneumoniae infection, significant economic losses in pig production continue to occur. The results of genome-based research have the potential to help understand the biology and pathogenesis of M. hyopneumoniae, and contribute to the development of more effective vaccines and diagnostic tests. In this review, the characteristics of M. hyopneumoniae related to pathogenesis and control measures will be discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on vaccination strategies that have been proposed with the use of reverse vaccinology approaches.