PATHOGENESIS OF PORCINE PROLIFERATIVE ENTEROPATHY - REVIEW

Abstract

Proliferative enteropathy is a widespread enteric disease caused by Lawsonia intracellularis that infects a variety of animals, most notably pigs. Despite extreme difficulties in isolating L. intracellularis, innovations in the cultivation and the development of pure culture challenge models, have opened doors to better characterization of the pathogenesis of proliferative enteropathy in vivo and in vitro. The ability of L. intracellularis to infect dividing enterocytes in the intestinal crypts and then multiply and spread in these cells is well-described. After the successful growth and maintenance of L. intracellularis in vitro, several advances became possible but more studies have to be conducted in order to better understand the pathogenesis of L. intracellularis infections.