Comparison of the microbiota of healthy calf eyes compared to eyes with active pinkeye infection

Abstract

Pinkeye, also known as infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), is a highly contagious disease, causing inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye that can lead to ulcerations and occasionally blindness. This is a multifactorial disease caused by Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1), and multiple Mycoplasma species. Factors instrumental in causing eye irritation and allowing for infection include excessive ultraviolet light, face flies, wind, plant material, dust, and pollen. Agents involved in pinkeye infection colonize the eyes and nasal cavities of affected animals. Control and prevention of the disease includes vaccination, fly control, environmental management, and antibiotic treatment. The economic impact resulting from pinkeye infections includes decreased weight gain, decreased weaning weight, decreased milk production, and increased treatment costs, which were estimated to be $150 million in the United States alone in 1993. There are 8 commercially licensed pinkeye vaccines manufactured by 3 companies. These vaccines only include Moraxella bovis. There is little to no publically available data supporting the efficacy of these vaccines.