Equine lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis: a retrospective study of 14 cases

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE) is a morphological diagnosis given to a type of infiltrative intestinal disease classified within the complex of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the details of breed, age and sex, clinical and clinicopathological findings and outcome of horses diagnosed with LPE. Data were reported from 14 horses that had a histopathological diagnosis of LPE; the median age was 12 years, and there was no breed or sex predilection. Common clinical signs were weight loss (100%), diarrhoea (50%) and lethargy (50%). Hypoproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia were present in 6/13 (46%) and 9/12 (75%) horses, respectively. Results of the oral glucose tolerance tests or D-xylose absorption tests were abnormal in 9/12 (75%) horses and rectal mucosal biopsies were abnormal in 3/7 (43%) horses. Corticosteroid treatment was used unsuccessfully in 4 horses. All horses were subjected to euthanasia and LPE was diagnosed at necropsy. Diffuse thickening of the small intestine was apparent grossly in 10/13 (77%) horses examined. LPE is an uncommon equine intestinal disease that is difficult to diagnose antemortem and has a poor prognosis.