Authors: Karuppannan Anbu K, Opriessnig Tanja
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Lawsonia intracellularis Control in Equine and Livestock Medicine Lawsonia intracellularis, an obligate intracellular bacterium, causes proliferative enteritis (ileitis) in horses and other species by triggering haemorrhage and necrosis of the small intestine, with significant consequences for animal health and performance. Anbu and Opriessnig reviewed three decades of research into this pathogen's biology, virulence mechanisms, and control strategies, examining current prophylactic approaches including subtherapeutic in-feed antibiotics and vaccination alongside emerging alternatives. Whilst antibiotic growth promoters have proven effective at controlling L. intracellularis disease burden in farmed animals, regulatory restrictions on subtherapeutic antimicrobial use in many countries are driving urgent need for alternative interventions. The authors identify microbiome manipulation through targeted feed ingredients and supplements as a promising evidence-based strategy, drawing on growing understanding of how the gut microbiota influences susceptibility to and progression of L. intracellularis infection. For equine practitioners and nutritionists, this synthesis highlights the potential value of prebiotic and probiotic interventions in reducing disease incidence in at-risk populations, particularly as antimicrobial stewardship pressures intensify.
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Practical Takeaways
- •L. intracellularis (ileitis) affects multiple species including horses; anticipate regulatory restrictions on subtherapeutic antibiotics as a control tool
- •Vaccination and microbiome-based interventions (specific feed ingredients/supplements) represent emerging alternatives to antibiotic prophylaxis for managing this infection
- •Understanding individual animal gut microbiota may help tailor preventive strategies for L. intracellularis control in the future
Key Findings
- •L. intracellularis is an anaerobic obligate intracellular bacterium affecting small intestine (and infrequently large intestine) of pigs, horses, and other animals, characterized by proliferation, hemorrhage, and necrosis
- •Current prophylaxis relies on subtherapeutic antibiotic growth promoters or vaccination, but regulatory restrictions on antibiotics necessitate alternative approaches
- •Manipulation of gut microbiome through feed ingredients and supplements shows promise as an alternative control strategy based on current understanding of porcine gut microbiota and disease ecology