Equine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis - PubMed (original) (raw)

Equine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis

N Pusterla et al. Equine Vet Educ. 2009 Aug.

Abstract

Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is a disease of foals caused by the obligate intracellular organism Lawsonia intracellularis. This emerging disease affects mainly weanling foals and causes fever, lethargy, peripheral oedema, diarrhoea, colic and weight loss. The diagnosis of EPE may be challenging and relies on the presence of hypoproteinaemia, thickening of segments of the small intestinal wall observed on abdominal ultrasonography, positive serology and molecular detection of L. intracellularis in faeces. Although the clinical entity, diagnostic work-up and treatment of EPE are well established and described, the epidemiology for this disease has remained largely unaddressed. This article reviews the aetiology, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of EPE.

Keywords: Lawsonia intracellularis; clinical signs; diagnosis; horse; proliferative enteropathy; treatment.

2009 EVJ Ltd.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Al‐Ghamdi, M. (2003) Characterization of Proliferative Enteropathy in Horses. PhD Thesis, University of Minnesota.
    1. Allen, K.J. , Pearson, G.R. , Fews, D. , McOrist, S. and Brazil, T.J. (2009) Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a weanling foal, with a tentative histological diagnosis of lymphocytic plasmacytic enteritis. Equine vet. Educ. 21, 411–414.
    1. Bihr, T.P. (2003) Protein‐losing enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis in a weanling foal. Can. vet. J. 44, 65–66. -PMC -PubMed
    1. Brees, D.J. , Sondhoff, A.H. , Kluge, J.P. , Andreasen, C.B. and Brown, C.M. (1999) _Lawsonia intracellularis_‐like organism infection in a miniature foal. J. Am. vet. med. Ass. 215, 511–515. -PubMed
    1. Cooper, D.M. and Gebhart, C.J. (1998) Comparative aspects of proliferative enteritis. J. Am. vet. med. Ass. 212, 1446–1451. -PubMed

LinkOut - more resources