Defend Digestive Function to Protect Profitability

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Lawsonia infection might be impacting more than you think

Feed is the number one cost in raising pigs. When feed efficiency slips, profitability follows. When pigs don’t efficiently convert feed into gain, it directly impacts the bottom line. That’s why diseases that affect the gut, and in turn, feed conversion, deserve close attention — even when clinical signs aren’t necessarily present.

Lawsonia intracellularis, the bacteria that causes ileitis, is endemic in nearly all U.S. swine herds and while it often does not present clinical signs, it has direct ties to how efficiently pigs can digest and utilize nutrients from feed. Oral vaccination offers benefits for improving feed conversion amid Lawsonia infection. In a controlled study, pigs challenged with Lawsonia had a 26% reduction in average daily gain and a 18% reduction in feed efficiency compared to pigs vaccinated with ENTERISOL^@ILETIS, an oral live vaccine.¹

How does Lawsonia impact feed conversion?

Lawsonia infects cells in the small intestine that are responsible for absorbing nutrients. Research has shown non-vaccinated pigs challenged with Lawsonia had a near complete loss of a key digestive enzyme – the natural tools pigs use to break down feed – sucrase-isomaltase.¹ Without normal enzyme production, pigs cannot break down and absorb nutrients as efficiently.

The same study further explored how Lawsonia infection impacts nutrient digestibility, finding an 8% reduction in nitrogen digestibility and a 4% reduction in energy digestibility among non-vaccinated, challenged pigs.1 In short, pigs aren’t extracting enough protein and energy for efficient growth, meaning more feed is needed to reach market weight.

Impacts to overall gut health

Management of Lawsonia is not just important from a feed-efficiency lens, but also for protecting overall gut function. The microbiome – the community of bacteria and other microorganisms in the gut – helps pigs digest feed and supports immune development. Disruption of that environment can throw off the healthy balance of microorganisms, opening the door for more infection and a bigger drag on performance.

During Lawsonia infection, research has demonstrated changes in microbial activity, including reduced signatures of amino acid biosynthesis – the process by which gut bacteria help support protein metabolism.²

At the same time, the same study noted that Lawsonia infection in non-vaccinated pigs was associated with increases in certain bacteria often linked with intestinal stress, including Escherichia coli and Streptococcus suis, both of which put further strain on a pig’s overall health.²

Benefits of oral vaccination

While research has demonstrated the mounting threat Lawsonia poses to a variety of production metrics, the solution hasn’t changed. Vaccination remains a safe and effective means of control for Lawsonia. Choosing a live, oral vaccine offers a variety of benefits, including those related to reduced shedding and average daily gain (ADG). Research shows that vaccination with ENTERISOL® ILEITIS significantly reduces Lawsonia shedding (3.03 log10) compared to non-vaccinated pigs. Vaccinated pigs also showed improved growth compared to non-vaccinated challenged pigs, with a 26% improvement in ADG over the course of infection.^1,3

Protecting pigs from Lawsonia isn’t just a health issue – it’s also safeguarding profitability. Vaccination, particularly with ENTERISOL^@ ILEITIS, helps preserve digestive function, maintain healthy activity of the gut microbiome, and protect feed efficiency. In a business where every ounce of feed matters, prioritize protection against Lawsonia to keep pigs growing efficiently.

References

1 Helm E, Burrough ER, Leite F, Gabler N. Lawsonia intracellularis infected enterocytes lack sucrase-isomaltase which contributes to reduced pig digestive capacity. Veterinary Research, 52:90. 2021

2 Helm E, Burrough ER, Gabler N, Leite F. Lawsonia intracellularis infection induces changes in microbial community function and composition associated with reduced pig growth and feed efficiency. Animal Microbiome, 8:1. 2026

3 Leite F, et al. Oral vaccination reduces the effects of Lawsonia intracellularis challenge on the swine small and large intestine microbiome. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8:692521. 2021