Review of methods for the detection of Lawsonia intracellularis infection in pigs

Campillo, M. , Smith, S. H., Gally, D. L. and Opriessnig, T. (2021) Review of methods for the detection of Lawsonia intracellularis infection in pigs. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 33(4), pp. 621-631. (doi: 10.1177/10406387211003551) (PMID:33739176) (PMCID:PMC8225690)

Abstract

Lawsonia intracellularis is an obligate intracellular bacterium associated with enteric disease in pigs. Clinical signs include weight loss, diarrhea, and, in some cases, sudden death. The hallmark lesion is the thickening of the intestinal mucosa caused by increased epithelial cell replication, known as proliferative enteropathy. The immune response to L. intracellularis is not well defined, and detection of the infection, especially in the early stages, is still a significant challenge. We review here the main approaches used to identify this important but poorly understood pathogen. Detection of L. intracellularis infection as the cause of clinical disease is confounded by the high prevalence of the pathogen in many countries and that several other pathogens can produce similar clinical signs. A single L. intracellularis–specific ELISA and several amplification assays are available commercially to aid detection and surveillance, although histopathology remains the primary way to reach a conclusive diagnosis. There are major gaps in our understanding of L. intracellularis pathogenesis, especially how the host responds to infection and the factors that drive infection toward different clinical outcomes. Knowledge of pathogenesis will increase the predictive value of antemortem tests to guide appropriate interventions, including identification and treatment of subclinically affected pigs in the early stages of disease, given that this important manifestation reduces pig productivity and contributes to the economic burden of L. intracellularis worldwide.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding was provided by Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)–Boehringer Ingelheim Training grant, Industrial CASE CVS (BB/P505006/1). Additional support was received through the BBSRC Institute Strategic Programme Grant awarded to the Roslin Institute (BB/P013740/1; BBS/E/D/20002174).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Campillo Poveda, Dr Marta
• Authors: Campillo, M., Smith, S. H., Gally, D. L., and Opriessnig, T.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 1040-6387
• ISSN (Online): 1943-4936
• Published Online: 19 March 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 33(4): 621-631
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License