Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis

The Infectious corneal and conjunctival inflammation in cattle ( infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, Weidekeratitis, pink eye ) is an infectious disease of cattle and is caused by the bacterium Moraxella subgenus Moraxella bovis, which belongs to the genus Moraxella from the family Moraxellaceae from the order Pseudomonadales.

Etiology and Epidemiology

M. (M. ) bovis is naturally present on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and the conjunctiva of cattle. Mycoplasma, chlamydia, and possibly viruses act as a pioneer of M. (M. ) bovis. In addition, UV rays, dust and bugs have either a favorable.

Clinic

Receptive all ages, but most often calves and young cattle. The disease occurs mainly in pasture. The first symptoms are lacrimation, conjunctivitis with photophobia and blepharospasm. Later it expands and it leads to corneal injury, beginning with corneal inflammation and edema and grow later purulent corneal and conjunctival inflammation with ulceration and perforation of the cornea. Will there be secondary infections to occur in the worst case to purulent inflammation of the whole eye. The vascularization of the injured cornea appears as a reddish ring, hence the English name pink eye. Mostly enters a self-healing, but sometimes blindness.

Diagnostics

The sample is collected with a cotton swab or glass rod from the conjunctival sac and immediately streaked on an agar. After 24 hours, you can evaluate the colonies.

Therapy

Against M. (M. ) bovis acting penicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin and sulfonamides. The drugs can be administered locally or parenterally. A fly control is recommended. You also may be considered by stock-specific vaccines.