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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet Educ / Equine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracel...
Equine veterinary education2010; 21(8); 415-419; doi: 10.2746/095777309X453119

Equine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis.

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.
2009 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2010-01-05 PubMed ID: 32313386PubMed Central: PMC7163693DOI: 10.2746/095777309X453119Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper discusses equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), a disease in foals caused by Lawsonia intracellularis, explaining its symptoms, diagnosis methods, and treatment options, while highlighting the lack of thorough research regarding its epidemiology.

Aetiology of Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE)

  • The paper starts by elucidating EPE, a disease that primarily affects weanling foals and caused by the obligate intracellular organism, Lawsonia intracellularis.
  • It describes the impact of this disease, which brings on symptoms such as fever, lethargy, peripheral edema, diarrhea, colic, and weight loss among the foals.

Epidemiology of EPE

  • The author acknowledges that despite the clarity in information about EPE’s clinical entity, diagnostic procedures, and treatments, the disease’s epidemiology remains largely unexplored, thus suggesting a gap in research.

Clinical Signs of EPE

  • The article provides a list of EPE symptoms that act as indicators for diagnosis. These include the presence of hypoproteinaemia (abnormally low levels of protein in the blood) and thickening of small intestinal wall sections visible through abdominal ultrasonography.
  • Other clinical signs include noticeable weight loss, colic (severe abdominal discomfort), and peripheral edema (swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues).

Diagnosis of EPE

  • The diagnosis of EPE relies on a combination of observed physical symptoms and clinical tests. Positive serology (blood tests related to the immune system’s response to the infection), along with molecular detection of Lawsonia intracellularis in the faeces, adds significant evidence towards confirming the disease.

Treatment and Prevention of EPE

  • While discussing treatment, the paper emphasizes that established and described treatment protocols are available for EPE and should be followed.
  • Additionally, preventive measures are encouraged to reduce the spread and impact of this disease affecting foals.

Cite This Article

APA
Pusterla N, Gebhart C. (2010). Equine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. Equine Vet Educ, 21(8), 415-419. https://doi.org/10.2746/095777309X453119

Publication

Equine veterinary education
ISSN: 0957-7734
NlmUniqueID: 9885274
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 8
Pages: 415-419

Researcher Affiliations

Pusterla, N
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616.
Gebhart, C
  • Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
  1. Yeh JY. Prevalence and associated risk factors for Lawsonia intracellularis infection in farmed rabbits: A serological and molecular cross-sectional study in South Korea. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1058113.
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