INFECTIOUS BOVINE KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS

Abstract

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) - a widespread, polietiologic, acute and rapidly spreading disease of cattle. The pathology is also known as moraxellosis. The infection is manifested by fever, oppression and damage to the eyes – catarrhal conjunctivitis, purulent-ulcerative keratitis, photophobia, lacrimation, hyperemia of the vessels of the conjunctival membranes, serous-purulent discharge, opacity and ulceration of a cornea, deformity of the eyeball, painful reaction to light, partial or complete loss of vision. The disease is common to many species of ruminants around the world, including deer, bison, antelope, camels, goats, sheep, etc. In Russia, primarily cattle is affected by moraxellosis, due to its widespread distribution. The IBK is considered the most dangerous animal eye disease in the world, and gram-negative bacteria of the species Moraxella bovis and Moraxella bovoculi are considered its main pathogens. In the case of infection development, it is possible to simultaneously damage both eyes, or one of them, but at different stages of the disease. Despite the low mortality rate, infectious keratoconjunctivitis is characterized by the high morbidity and mass disposal of animals, since a significant decrease in productivity is observed in blind animals.

Keywords

• keratoconjunctivitis
• cattle
• productivity
• disease prevention