Authors said this was the “first study to show that passively acquired antibodies to L. intracellularis do not have an effect on the occurrence of clinical or subclinical EPE (equine proliferative enteropathy).” The multi-farm field study was done in Kentucky. That authors also noted there were “a number of novel findings” that came from the research.
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Reasons for Performing Study
Multiple hypotheses into the age-based susceptibility of animals to Lawsonia intracellularis exist, including the decline of passively acquired antibodies.
Objectives
To determine whether the decline in passively acquired antibodies in horses is responsible for the age predilection of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). Additional objectives included examination of various risk factors for the development of EPE as well as the determination of naturally occurring attack rates for clinical and subclinical EPE.
Study design
Prospective, multi-farm field study.
Methods
A total of 369 mare and foal pairs from 15 central Kentucky Thoroughbred farms were used in this study, which took place from January 2012 to February 2013. Serum samples were collected from mares and foals within 48 hours of parturition, and then monthly from foals to February of their yearling year. Lawsonia intracellularis-specific antibodies were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
No effect of passively acquired antibodies on the occurrence of presumptive clinical or subclinical EPE was noted. In total, 5.3% and 6.3% of seropositive horses developed presumptive clinical or subclinical EPE, respectively. In multiple logistic regression models, colts were at a significantly greater risk than fillies of developing presumptive clinical EPE (odds ratio [OR] 5.468, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.134–26.362, P = 0.034) or a combination of either presumptive clinical or subclinical EPE (OR 3.861, 95% CI 1.461–10.206, P = 0.006) while foals that were weaned in September or beyond were at a lower risk of developing presumptive EPE (OR = 0.281, 95% CI 0.0807–0.981, P = 0.05).
Conclusions
This is the first study to show that passively acquired antibodies to L. intracellularis do not have an effect on the occurrence of clinical or subclinical EPE. A number of novel findings, including identification of the disease rate among naturally exposed horses, warrant additional work as they may help to identify potential risk factors for L. intracellularis exposure and/or the reservoir host(s) of the bacterium.
Authors
A. E. Page and D.W. Horohov, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington; H.F. Stills Jr., Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington.
