title: Lawsonia intracellularis and equine proliferative enteropathy.
abstract: Lawsonia intracellularis is the etiologic agent for equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), which typically affects weanling and yearling horses. In North America, EPE cases often occur between August and January, although cases outside of this time frame have been reported. Clinical signs of EPE are usually nonspecific and include lethargy, pyrexia, anorexia, peripheral edema, weight loss, colic, and diarrhea. Diagnosis is based on the presence of hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia along with clinical signs and positive commercial serologic and/or molecular testing. Treatment requires the use of antimicrobials with good intracellular penetration and supportive care to prevent or decrease secondary complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
authors.forename: Allen E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: McGee Medicine Center, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, 4250 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Slovis
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA. Electronic address: nslovis@hagyard.com.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Horohov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045824:Desulfovibrionaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006736:Horses; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D020639:Lawsonia Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*
keywords: EPE; Equine proliferative enteropathy; Lawsonia intracellularis