EXOone Lawsonia intracellularis

Description

Lawsonia intracellularis is an obligate intracellular bacterium which causes a widespread proliferative enteric disease (ileitis) in a broad variety of animals, mainly pigs, with the subsequent economic losses in porcine production. The bacteria invade intestine epithelial cells which causes hyperplasia of infected cells leading to pathogenesis characterized by lethargy, weight loss, peripheral edema, diarrhea and sudden death.

Methods of diagnosis includes: post mortem examination with recognition of the characteristic proliferative lesions followed by staining, serological method (IFAT), in situ hybridization and PCR analysis.