Porcine proliferative enteropathy, or ileitis, caused by Lawsonia intracellularis, is a common bacterial illness, with greater than 95% prevalence,1 that reduces both growth rate and feed efficiency.2,3 Ileitis is an enteric — or intestinal — disease that forms lesions within the small intestine of the pig, particularly within the ileum. Ileitis can affect weight gain in pigs of all ages, with the biggest impact on late nursery through finishing.
The disease occurs in two clinical forms: PIA (porcine intestinal adenomatosis), characterized by gray diarrhea, or PHE (proliferative hemorrhagic enteropathy), characterized by bloody diarrhea. Even when it occurs subclinically, the economic impact of ileitis can be significant.
Prevalence of ileitis is often underestimated, as subclinically infected pigs may not present clinical signs, and thus go undetected or undiagnosed. Monitoring for Lawsonia intracellularis spread can be a valuable tool in understanding the infection status in a herd.
While initial outbreaks of the disease can be treated with antibiotics, vaccination provides a more sustainable solution to protect pigs against the health and performance impacts of Ileitis.
How Lawsonia intracellularis Negatively Impacts Nutrient Absorption
Industry-leading swine veterinarians discuss the importance of understanding enterocytes and
how Lawsonia intracellularis negatively impacts
nutrient absorption.
Clinical Forms of Lawsonia intracellularis and Differential Diagnoses
Industry-leading swine veterinarians discuss the clinical presentations of ileitis, the impacts of the disease at clinical and subclinical levels, and differential diagnoses to consider when investigating potential ileitis outbreaks.
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