Characteristics of <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> pathogenesis: recent research and potential benefits

Lawsonia intracellularis is defined clearly as the causative agent of proliferative enteropathies (PE). Disease continues to present significant problems worldwide. This bacterium has developed what appears to be a unique relationship with animal hosts and studies have focussed on molecular characterisation of L. intracellularis and examination of the host-pathogen relationship at cellular and molecular levels. The following is a brief review of work which has been conducted over the past 3 years together with an appraisal of possible benefits to the pig industry