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Equine proliferative enteropathy (Epe) Caused by lawsonia intracellularis in Chile
Palma Espinoza, Paula; Bustos...
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Introduction
Lawsonia intracellularis causes EPE in foals, which causes ventral edema, diarrhea, fever and weight loss1. The disease is prevalent in North America, but rarely reported in South America2 .
Clinical History
An 8-month-old-Thoroughbred-foal presented with acute diarrhea.The last month, this foal and two other ones were showing reduced weight gain.Four days prior presentation the foal showed hyperthermia, mild dehydration and lethargy.Treatment administered was moxidectin, NSAIDs and IV-fluids.
Relevant Clinical Findings
Poor general condition, taquicardia, hyperthermia (39°C), dehydration, ventral edema, anorexy, dullness, profuse diarrhea, mild colic signs.
Evidence-Based Diagnosis
Blood work, abdominal ultrasound, and fecal analysis were performed.Results showed anemia, leucopenia, neutrophilia, hiperfibrinogenemia, azotemia, hypochloremia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia. Diffuse thickening in small intestinal walls was detected on ultrasound. In feces, adult small strongyles and tenias were detected. Fecal culture was negative for Salmonella, positive PCR for L. intracellularis. The feces of the 2 foals at the farm, with similar but milder signs, also tested positive for L. intracellularis.
Treatment And Management
fluids (isotonic, plasma), antibiotics (TMS, oxytetracycline), NSAIDs, antihelmintic drugs. On day 7 added corticosteroids, diuretics, synthetic colloids, and lower limb bandages.
Evolution
Initially the patient was stabilized, appetite and attitude improved. Nevertheless, after 1-week of treatment slowly and steady clinical signs worsen, serum protein kept falling and ventral edema increasing. Due to his poor prognosis humane euthanasia was performed.
Post-Mortem Findings
Diffuse and severe thickening of jejunum and ileum, with thickened ileal mucosa and hypertrophy of the muscularis mucosa. Positive PCR of the ileum for L. intracellularis.
Discussion
This is the first report of EPE caused by L. intracellullaris in Chile. The infection should be considered as differential diagnosis in foals with fever, reduced weight gain and diarrhea. Early detection programs are needed to establish prevalence, distribution, and economic impact of the disease in Chile.
References
- Pusterla N, Gebhart C. Equine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. Equine Veterinary Education. 2009 Aug;21(8):415-419. doi: 10.2746/095777309X453119
- Guttmann P de M, Viscardi V, Lessa DAB, Guedes RMC. Equine Proliferative Enteropathy Caused by Lawsonia intracellularis in a Foal in Brazil. J Equine Vet Sci [Internet]. 2014;34(5):701–3. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080613008836
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About
Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
1Universidad Austral De Chile, Equine Hospital, Inst. of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Valdivia, Chile ; 2Universidad Austral De Chile, Institute of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Valdivia, Chile
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