Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a filly.

The research reports the first case of Proliferative Enteropathy (PE), caused by the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis, in a Pura Raza Española filly (young female horse) in Europe. The filly exhibited severe diarrhea among other symptoms.

Disease Overview

• Proliferative Enteropathy (PE) is a severe disease primarily impacting swine (pigs) globally, with considerable economic repercussions for the livestock industry.
• PE is often the result of infection by the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis, which lives inside the cell (intracellular).
• In species other than swine, the disease is less common, with occurrences often considered sporadic.

Case Report

• The paper focuses on a case of PE in a 9-month-old Pura Raza Española filly experiencing serious diarrhoea.
• The pathological examination revealed intense proliferative enteritis — inflammation of the intestines — associated with the presence of argyrophilic (silver-staining) bacteria in the apex (top) of the crypt epithelial cells which were proliferating (multiplying in number).
• The crypts of the intestine are tubular structures composed of epithelial cells, which are responsible for absorbing and secreting various substances.

Confirmation of Diagnosis

• A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test was performed to confirm the presumptive diagnosis. PCR is an experimental method used to amplify specific target regions of DNA.
• PCR resulted in the expected product, confirming the presence of L. intracellularis infection.

Significance of the Report

• This research report is significant as it presents the first known occurrence of a horse in Europe suffering from PE caused by L. intracellularis.
• These findings could have important implications for equine health in Europe and potentially result in new protocols for managing and preventing PE in horses.