Experimental reproduction of proliferative enteropathy and the role of IFN-gamma in protective immunity against Lawsonia intracellularis in mice.

Proliferative enteropathy was reproduced in IFN-gamma receptor knockout (IFN-gamma R-) mice by experimental infection with Lawsonia intracellularis (L. intracellularis). The cecum and the colon of the infected mice were evidently enlarged 2 weeks post infection.