Estudo Clinico e Laboratorial da Enteropatia Proliferativa Equina

Abstract

Proliferative enteropathy (EP) is a contagious enteric disease caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. Despite having worldwide distribution in porcine, there are reports describing the presence of EP in horses in America, Europe, Australia and Japan, affecting mostly foals up to 12 months of age. There are three techniques to diagnose L. intracellularis, serology, immunochemistry of tissue samples and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Main clinical signs described are depression, anorexia, lethargy, diarrhea, colics and occasionally death. The present study was divided into two parts, in the first part, two serology tests (immunoperoxidase monolayer assay and slide immunoperoxidase assay) were compared to determine the agreement between them. On the second part, clinical and laboratorial findings of EP affected horses were evaluated. Blood and stool samples of 315 animals of different age and gender were analysed. Whole blood count, leukocyte count, determination of protein and fibrinogen levels and creatine kinase, gama glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkalin phosphate, urea and creatinine serum levels were performed. For differencial diagnosis, eggs per gram (OPG) were realized. To confirm EP, serology through IPMA and PCR in fecal samples were performed. IPMA detected more positives than IPX. There was a fair agreement between IPMA and IPX. Twelve (3,81%) horses were positive by PCR in fecal samples, 51 (16,19%) in IPMA and two (0,63%) in both tests. Many positive horses did not have any clinical changes or laboratorial findings, showing previous contact to bacteria or presence of a subclinical disease.