The Disease

Prevalence of ileitis

The indications are that nearly all pig populations are susceptible to Lawsonia Intracellularis
Learn more about its consequences on production

Ileitis is widespread in swine herds of different production systems worldwide. This disease is present in every single country that has a significant commercial swine production industry. It was the most frequent cause of disease in grower/finisher pigs reported in the 2000 National Animal Monitoring System survey, occurring on more than one-third of all sites and reported on 75% of large sites (10,000 or more total inventory) (Highlights, 2002).
Studies have shown that the prevalence of PE positive herds ranges from 15 to 100% in different countries, depending on the diagnostic test used.

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L. intracellularis is a gram-negative rod with a sigmoid or curved shape and with a single long flagellum.

History and Etiology of ileitis

Not much is known about the epidemiology of L. Intracellularis.

Epidemiology of ileitis

L. Intracellularis has specific infectious mechanisms, and generally appears in the growing and finishing stages.

Pathogenesis of L. Intracellularis

The symptoms of ileitis in pigs are diverse, and include hemorrhagic or acute, chronic and subclinical.

Clinical signs and forms of ileitis

Diagnosing ileitis involves considering four important factors

Diagnosis of ileitis

Ileitis outbreaks must be treated immediately to reduce losses

Treatment of ileitis

The best preventative option for ileitis depends on the specific farm

Prevention of ileitis

The ban on antimicrobial growth promoters in the EU affected the kinetics of the infection in different pig diseases

Potential impact of the reduction of antibiotics

Economic impact results mostly from productivity losses caused by the disease

Economic losses related to ileitis