Tonisity Px demonstrates efficacy in combating Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV)

Tonisity International is delighted to announce a significant milestone regarding its leading product, Tonisity Px. This groundbreaking product has been the subject of a peer-reviewed article [1] published in the Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology journal, a prestigious international journal focusing on comparative immunology. The article sheds light on the efficacy of Tonisity Px in combating Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV).

Tonisity Px is a patented isotonic protein drink that directly feeds the intestinal cells of livestock, such as piglets, thus improving nutrient absorption. Tonisity Px is administered to piglets in the first week of life and around weaning and is voluntarily consumed even by newborn piglets. The result is higher weight gain, lower mortality and less need for medications for these animals – all producing a high return on investment for producers. 

The Peer-Reviewed Article

This article represents a significant breakthrough as it is the first report to demonstrate the beneficial impact of a commercially available swine feed product, Tonisity Px, in addressing PEDV. Tonisity Px, already registered for use across continents including Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Australia and Africa, is distinctive in its delivery as a supplementary liquid drink. This innovative approach allows for voluntary consumption, resembling milk replacer, making it suitable even for neonatal pigs reliant on sow's milk. This is particularly crucial as piglets of this age are most vulnerable to PEDV, with mortality rates ranging from 50% to 80%.

Overall, the study findings indicate that Tonisity Px supplementation offers a promising intervention to support intestinal health and aid tissue recovery in response to PEDV infection in piglets. Furthermore, the study provides valuable insights into the behaviour of key intestinal health biomarkers in live pigs affected by PEDV, based on independent immunologic research conducted by co-authors from the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University in Ukraine.

The study investigated the effects of administering Tonisity Px via drinking water to 14-day-old piglets infected with PEDV. Assessments were made on various parameters, including indicators of intestinal integrity, immune response, tissue repair and virus shedding. Over a 21-day period post-infection, samples were collected at different intervals to monitor the outcomes.

Key findings revealed that piglets receiving Tonisity Px exhibited reduced shedding of PED virus on days five and 14 post-infection, with complete clearance observed by day 21 post-infection. In contrast, the control group continued to exhibit detectable virus excretion throughout the study period.

At the intestinal level, piglets supplemented with Tonisity Px demonstrated a more robust immune response and faster tissue repair compared to the control group. This aspect of the study is particularly noteworthy as it represents the first report of this panel of biomarkers in live pigs affected by PEDV infection, contributing significantly to immunological research in this area.

Dr. Ava Firth, Director of Research and Development at Tonisity, and Dr. Stefan Buzoianu, Senior Scientist at Tonisity, emphasised the importance of these findings, underscoring the scientific foundation and physiological efficacy of Tonisity products, “This study affirms the sound science and physiology that is the foundation of all Tonisity products. The significance of these findings cannot be overstated as no other product in the world is effective in combating this deadly disease. Tonisity Px and our other products have been successful globally, with over 65 million animals having consumed them in a variety of situations. Our entire team is working hard to accelerate market penetration so that more animals, producers and related businesses can benefit from the positive health, environmental and economic outcomes that our products create.”

About PEDV

PEDV is a contagious coronavirus that primarily affects the intestines of pigs. It poses a severe threat, particularly to young piglets, often resulting in high mortality rates. The virus was first identified in Europe in the 1970s and has since spread worldwide. Despite efforts to control it, including the use of vaccines, highly virulent strains of PEDV continue to cause significant economic losses to swine producers globally.

Quantifying the economic impact of PEDV outbreaks can be challenging due to varying reporting standards and economic repercussions. Nevertheless, significant outbreaks in major pork-producing countries have led to substantial financial losses:

United States: The PEDV outbreak that began in 2013 caused widespread devastation, particularly in 2014, resulting in estimated losses totaling hundreds of millions of dollars due to the deaths of approximately seven million piglets and subsequent increases in pork prices.

China: As the world's largest pork producer and consumer, China has been severely impacted by PEDV outbreaks, with significant economic ramifications in terms of lost production and increased costs for biosecurity measures and control efforts.

South Korea: Outbreaks in South Korea, notably in 2013-2014, led to the culling of thousands of pigs and considerable economic losses. Substantial resources were allocated to control measures and vaccine development.

The economic repercussions of PEDV outbreaks include direct costs such as animal deaths and reduced growth rates, as well as indirect costs like enhanced biosecurity measures and disruptions to trade. The cumulative global economic impact over the last decade is estimated to be in the billions of dollars.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tonisity Px, has demonstrated promising efficacy in combating Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) in a peer-reviewed study. The study revealed significant reductions in virus shedding, enhanced immune response and faster tissue repair in piglets supplemented with Tonisity Px compared to the control group. These findings highlight the potential of Tonisity Px as an effective intervention to support piglet health and combat PEDV, offering hope for improved outcomes in swine production and addressing the significant economic losses associated with PEDV outbreaks globally.

[1] Dmytro M. Masiuk, Andrii V. Kokariev, Stefan G. Buzoianu, Ava M. Firth, and Victor S. Nedzvetsky, “An Isotonic Protein Solution Favorably Modulated the Porcine Intestinal Immune Response and Cellular Adhesion Markers and Reduced PEDV Shedding In Vivo.” Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 271 (2024) 110