What is it about?

In addition to intestinal epithelial cells, Lawsonia intracellularis can also survive and proliferate in macrophages, which are part of the inate immune response system. It demonstrates the presence of possible mechanisms persistence of this microorganism.

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Why is it important?

The survival and proliferation of L. intracellulais in macrophages may be explain the long lasting fecal shedding observed in some infected animals, such as pigs, which can be detected for upto 12 weeks. In addition, it demonstrate that the bacteria has complex system to evade the lisossomal digestion system of phagocitic cells.

Perspectives

These findings open new research areas for the detection of possible virulent factors present in L. intracellularis that might mimic some features of Salmonella sp. pathogenesis.

Roberto Guedes
Federal University of Minas Gerais

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This page is a summary of: Survival of Lawsonia intracellularis in porcine peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages, PLoS ONE, July 2020, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236887.
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