FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet World / Immunological insights into the occurrence of Lawsonia intra...
Veterinary world2025; 18(4); 755-762; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.755-762

Immunological insights into the occurrence of Lawsonia intracellularis in horses from southern Brazil using flow cytometry.

Abstract: Lawsonia intracellularis is an obligatory intracellular bacterium associated with equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), which significantly impacts equine health. Despite its clinical relevance, epidemiological and diagnostic approaches for this infection in horses have remained underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the humoral immune response in horses immunized with an experimental vaccine for L. intracellularis and to determine the occurrence of anti-L. intracellularis antibodies in horses from southern Brazil using the flow cytometry antibody test (FCAT). Unassigned: A total of 12 horses were immunized with an experimental vaccine containing inactivated L. intracellularis and adjuvants. Blood samples were collected on day 0 (D0) and every 7 days until day 35 (D35) to monitor the antibody response using FCAT. In addition, serum samples from 79 horses from the North and Northwest regions of Rio Grande do Sul were tested to determine the occurrence of anti-L. intracellularis antibodies. The FCAT protocol was optimized for equine samples, and a cut-off fluorescence threshold was determined using Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis. Unassigned: FCAT demonstrated high accuracy, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 92% at a fluorescence cut-off of ≥15%. Immunization triggered a robust humoral response, with a significant increase in fluorescence from day 7 to day 35. In the occurrence analysis, 26% of the horses tested positive for anti-L. intracellularis antibodies. The highest occurrence was observed in females (35.8%) and horses aged 16-22 years (50%). Unassigned: This study provided evidence that L. intracellularis infection is relatively common among horses in southern Brazil. FCAT was a sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for detecting anti-L. intracellularis antibodies in horses. The findings highlight the need for better diagnostic and preventive measures to control EPE in equine populations.
Copyright: © Matté, et al.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-04-07 PubMed ID: 40453941PubMed Central: PMC12123289DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.755-762Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

The research article investigates the immune response of horses to a vaccine for Lawsonia intracellularis, a bacterium associated with proliferative enteropathy in horses. Their study also measures the occurrence of this bacteria in horses in southern Brazil using a flow cytometry antibody test (FCAT).

Approach and Methodology

  • The study involved immunizing 12 horses with a vaccine developed for Lawsonia intracellularis and monitoring the antibody response over 35 days.
  • Blood samples were collected every 7 days to monitor the antibody response using flow cytometry antibody test (FCAT).
  • Additionally, the researchers also analyzed the serum samples from 79 horses from North and Northwest regions of Rio Grande do Sul to determine the prevalence of anti-Lawsonia intracellularis antibodies.
  • The FCAT protocol was optimised for equine samples, setting up a cut-off for fluorescence threshold using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results and Findings

  • FCAT exhibited high accuracy in the detection, delivering 100% sensitivity and 92% specificity at a fluorescence cut-off of greater than or equal to 15%.
  • The immunization triggered a robust humoral response, implying increase in antibodies post vaccination. A marked increase in fluorescence was noted beginning from day 7 through day 35 after immunization.
  • In the prevalence analysis, 26% of the horses tested positive for anti-Lawsonia intracellularis antibodies. A higher prevalence was noted among female horses (35.8%) and aged horses between 16 and 22 years (50%).

Conclusion

  • The study provides evidence that Lawsonia intracellularis infection is relatively common in horses in southern Brazil.
  • It established FCAT as a reliable diagnostic tool for detecting antibodies in horses.
  • The results highlight the necessity for advanced diagnostic and preventive measures to control equine proliferative enteropathy in equine populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Matté YA, Baldasso DZ, Rezende MA, Lui JFM, Seibel AC, Guizzo JA, Frandoloso R, Kreutz LC. (2025). Immunological insights into the occurrence of Lawsonia intracellularis in horses from southern Brazil using flow cytometry. Vet World, 18(4), 755-762. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2025.755-762

Publication

Veterinary world
ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 4
Pages: 755-762

Researcher Affiliations

Matté, Yasmin Ampese
  • Graduate Program in Bioexperimentation, Laboratory of Advanced Microbiology and Immunology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Innovation and Business, University of Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
Baldasso, Débora Zini
  • AFK Imunotech, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
Rezende, Mariana Antunes
  • Graduate Program in Bioexperimentation, Laboratory of Advanced Microbiology and Immunology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Innovation and Business, University of Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
Lui, Jean Francisco Maldaner
  • Graduate Program in Bioexperimentation, Laboratory of Advanced Microbiology and Immunology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Innovation and Business, University of Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
Seibel, Ana Clara
  • Graduate Program in Bioexperimentation, Laboratory of Advanced Microbiology and Immunology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Innovation and Business, University of Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
Guizzo, João Antônio
  • AFK Imunotech, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
Frandoloso, Rafael
  • Graduate Program in Bioexperimentation, Laboratory of Advanced Microbiology and Immunology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Innovation and Business, University of Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
  • AFK Imunotech, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
Kreutz, Luiz Carlos
  • Graduate Program in Bioexperimentation, Laboratory of Advanced Microbiology and Immunology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Innovation and Business, University of Passo Fundo, 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
  • AFK Imunotech, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References

This article includes 33 references
  1. Salvesen H.A, Sargison F.A, Archibald A.L, Ait-Ali T. Characterization of autophagy disruption in the ileum of pigs infected with Lawsonia intracellularis. Vet. Res. Commun. 2021;46(2):585–592.
    pmc: PMC9165227pubmed: 34669106
  2. Lavoie J.P, Drolet R, Parsons D, Léguillette R, Sauvageau R, Shapiro J, Houle L, Hallé G, Gebhart C. Equine proliferative enteropathy: A cause of weight loss, colic, diarrhoea and hypoproteinemia in foals on three breeding farms in Canada. Equine Vet. J. 2000;32(5):418–425.
    pubmed: 11037264
  3. Bohlin A.M, Olsen S.N, Laursen S.H, Ohman A, Van Galen G. Lawsonia intracellularis associated equine proliferative enteropathy in Danish weanling foals. Acta Vet. Scand. 2019;61(1):12.
    pmc: PMC6407178pubmed: 30850006
  4. Pusterla N, Barnum S, Hall J.A, Marshall-Lund L, Gebhart C. Investigation of the usefulness of serum amyloid A in supporting the diagnosis of equine proliferative enteropathy. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2020;92:103151.
    pubmed: 32797779
  5. Uzal F.A, Arroyo L.G, Navarro M.A, Gomez D.E, Asín J, Henderson E. Bacterial and viral enterocolitis in horses: A review. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 2022;34(3):354–375.
    pmc: PMC9254067pubmed: 34763560
  6. Pusterla N, Gebhart C. Lawsonia intracellularis infection and proliferative enteropathy in foals. Vet. Microb. 2013;167(1–2):34–41.
    pmc: PMC7126703pubmed: 23871678
  7. Lawson G.H, Gebhart C.J. Proliferative enteropathy. J. Comp. Pathol. 2000;122(2–3):77–100.
    pubmed: 10684678
  8. Karuppannan A.K. Editorial Lawsonia intracellularis: A problem well understood is a problem half solved. Front. Vet. Sci. 2023;10:1203702.
    pmc: PMC10185883pubmed: 37205227
  9. Yeh J.Y. 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.
    pmc: PMC9948251pubmed: 36846246
  10. Fiskett R.A.M. Lawsonia intracellularis infection in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). J. Exot. Pet. Med. 2011;20(4):277–283.
  11. Merlo J.L, Sheats M.K, Elce Y, Hunter S, Breuhaus B.A. Outbreak of Lawsonia intracellularis on a Standardbred breeding farm in North Carolina. Equine Vet. Educ. 2009;21:179–182.
  12. Wuersch K, Hussey D, Koch C, Oevermann A. Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a fily. J. Vet. Med. A Physiol. Pathol. Clin. Med. 2006;53(1):17–21.
    pubmed: 16411902
  13. Allen K.J, Pearson G.R, Fews D, McOrist S, Brazil T.J. Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a weanling foal, with a tentative histological diagnosis of lymphocytic plasmacytic enteritis. Equine Vet. Educ. 2009;21:411–414.
  14. Loublier C, Cerri S, Gryspeerdt A, Amory H, Bauwens C, Cesarini C. High seroprevalence against Lawsonia intracellularis among adult horses in Belgium. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2020;95:103304.
    pubmed: 33276923
  15. Steinman A, Aharonson-Raz K, Blum S.E, Shnaiderman A, Klement E, Lensky I.M, Horohov D.W, Page A.E. Demographic and environmental risk factors for exposure to Lawsonia intracellularis in horses in Israel. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2014;34:641–646.
  16. Niwa H, Higuchi T, Fujii S, Kinoshita Y, Uchida-Fujii E, Sueyoshi M, Nukada T, Ueno T. Prevalence of equine proliferative enteropathy in Hidaka district, Hokkaido, over five seasons. J. Equine Sci. 2022;33(4):71–74.
    pmc: PMC9843160pubmed: 36699202
  17. Dohrmann J, Hildebrand F, Straub J, Wadephul R, Pusterla N, Freise F, Venner M. Equine proliferative enteropathy in weanling foals on A German breeding farm: Clinical course, treatment and long-term outcome. J Equine Vet. Sci. 2022;111:103873.
    pubmed: 35074397
  18. Guimarães-Ladeira C.V, Palhares M.S, Oliveira J.S, Ramirez M.A, Guedes R.M.C. Faecal shedding and serological cross-sectional study of Lawsonia intracellularis in horses in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41(6):593–596.
    pubmed: 19803056
  19. Guttmann P.M, Viscardi V, Lessa D.A.B, Guedes R.M.C. Equine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis in a foal in Brazil. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2014;34(5):701–703.
  20. Caleffo T, Dahm V, Santos J.G, Cheng A.C, Faccin M, Matos M.R, Cavasin J.P, Gabardo M.P, Guedes R.M.C, Viott A.M. Occurrence of Lawsonia intracellularis in horses raised in three regions of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Semin. Ciênc. Agrár. 2021;42(5):2867–2876.
  21. Souza R.P, Mousquer M.A, Müller V, Barbosa J.C.R, Leite F.P.L, Guedes R.M.C, Curcio B.R, Nogueira C.E.W. High seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in thoroughbred farms in Southern Brazil. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2023;128:104890.
    pubmed: 37423472
  22. Gomez D.E, Leclere M, Arroyo L.G, Li L, John E, Afonso T, Payette F, Darby S. Acute diarrhea in horses: A multicenter Canadian retrospective study (2015 to 2019). Can. Vet. J. 2022;63(10):1033–1042.
    pmc: PMC9484212pubmed: 36185796
  23. Haq I, Durrani A.Z, Khan M.S, Mushtaq M.H, Ahmad I. A study on causes of pathogenic diarrhoea in foals in Punjab, Pakistan. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2017;56:88–92.
  24. Frederick J, Giguere S, Sanchez L.C. Infectious agents detected in the feces of diarrheic foals: A retrospective study of 233 cases (2003–2008). J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2009;23(6):1254–1260.
    pmc: PMC7166729pubmed: 19747192
  25. Metiner K, Mete A, Erol E. Molecular and serological investigation of Lawsonia intracellularis in weanling foals in Türkiye. Ankara Univ. Vet. Fak. Derg. 2023;70(4):395–400.
  26. Pusterla N, Mapes S, Johnson C, Slovis N, Page A, Gebhart C. Comparison of feces versus rectal swabs for the molecular detection of Lawsonia intracellularis in foals with equine proliferative enteropathy. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 2010;22(5):741–744.
    pubmed: 20807932
  27. Page A.E, Slovis N.M, Gebhart C.J, Wolfsdorf K, Mapes S.M, Pusterla N. Serial use of serologic assays and fecal PCR assays to aid in identification of subclinical Lawsonia intracellularis infection for targeted treatment of thoroughbred foals and weanlings. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2011;238:1482–1489.
    pubmed: 21627513
  28. Campillo M, Smith S.H, Gally D.L, Opriessnig T. Review of methods for the detection of Lawsonia intracellularis infection in pigs. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 2021;33(4):621–631.
    pmc: PMC8225690pubmed: 33739176
  29. Baldasso D.Z, Guizzo J.A, Dazzi C.C, Frandoloso G.C.P, Feronato C, Von Berg S, Guedes R.M.C, Wilson H.L, Kreutz L.C, Frandoloso R. Development and validation of a flow cytometry antibody test for Lawsonia intracellularis. Front. Immunol. 2023;14:1145072.
    pmc: PMC10073966pubmed: 37033985
  30. Guedes R.M.C, Gebhart C.J, Deen J, Winkelman N.L. Validation of an immunoperoxidase monolayer assay as a serologic test for porcine proliferative enteropathy. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 2002;14(6):528–530.
    pubmed: 12423042
  31. Pusterla N, Hilton H, Wattanaphansak S, Collier J.R, Mapes S.M, Stenbom R.M, Gebhart C. Evaluation of the humoral immune response and fecal shedding in weanling foals following oral and intra-rectal administration of an avirulent live vaccine of Lawsonia intracellularis. Vet. J. 2009;182(3):458–462.
    pubmed: 18835201
  32. Pusterla N, Vannucci F.A, Mapes S.M, Nogradi N, Collier J.R, Hill J.A, Difrancesco M, White A.M, Akana N.K, Simonek G, Gebhart C.J. Efficacy of an avirulent live vaccine against Lawsonia intracellularis in the prevention of proliferative enteropathy in experimentally infected weanling foals. Am. J. Vet. Res. 2012;73(5):741–746.
    pubmed: 22533409
  33. Breuer J, Schmoll F, Uhlig A, Schusser G.F. A follow up study on antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis in mares and foals from two breeding farms in Germany. Berl. Munch. Tierarztl. Wochenschr. 2011;124(7–8):337–342.
    pubmed: 21848042
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.