1. Introduction
2. Impact of Lawsonia intracellularis infections on pig farms
Economics
Feed conversion and weight gain
3. What is Lawsonia intracellularis?
Bacteria intracellular
How does L. intracellularis infect the pig intestine
4. Clinical signs of Lawsonia intracellularis infections in pigs
Chronic diarrhoea and weight loss
Acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea
5. How does Lawsonia intracellularis spread?
Spread on the farm
Spread between farms
6. Confirming the diagnosis and typical cases
Diagnostics
Case study. Chronic diarrhoea and weight loss
Case study. Acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea
7. Differential diagnosis. What are other possible causes of these clinical signs?
Investigating intestine problems
Look-alike problems
8. Treatment of sick pigs.
Antibiotics
Failures of treatment
Case study. Failure of treatment
Farm medication programmes
9. Control and prevention of
Lawsonia intracellularis infections
Hygiene and disinfection programmes
Vaccination programmes
Broad-spectrum antibiotics and/or vaccine
This guide on Lawsonia intracellularis infections in swine describes the epidemiology of the disease and how to achieve good control mechanisms and minimise risks in order to optimise performance and prevent associated losses. Fully illustrated throughout with colour images, it makes a useful resource for veterinary and animal science students as well as farm managers and veterinary practitioners.
