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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis of ibex, chamois and other Caprinae.

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae is a highly contagious ocular infection which is common in domestic sheep and goats. In the European Alps, IKC is often observed in Alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and in Alpine ibex (Capra i. ibex), but the disease has also been described in other wild Caprinae in the Pyrenees and in New Zealand. The infection is characterised by inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea, and in the most advanced stages, the cornea is opaque or even perforated. In IKC outbreaks in chamois and ibex, spontaneous recovery is the most prevalent outcome of the disease. However, mortality can occasionally reach 30%. Recent studies in eastern Switzerland indicated that M. conjunctivae infection is not self-maintained in chamois. In contrast, the disease is endemic and self-maintained in the domestic sheep population. Spillover of the agent from sheep living in proximity during summer may be the origin of point-source epidemics in wild Caprinae. Flies are likely to play a central role in interspecific transmission of M. conjunctivae on alpine meadows. When outbreaks of IKC occur in wildlife, a special effort should be made to avoid unnecessary human disturbance in affected areas. However, animals presenting irreversible ocular lesions should be shot by professional gamekeepers to prevent suffering. Prevention of IKC in wild Caprinae should focus on preventing the spillover of M. conjunctivae from livestock. However, studies are required to evaluate the distribution of M. conjunctivae infection in domestic sheep in several countries and to assess the risk of IKC spillover from domestic animals to wildlife. In addition, immunological studies should be performed to develop tools which could lead to the control of M. conjunctivae infection in domestic sheep.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Lesions associated with infectious keratoconjunctivitis in alpine ibex.

Following a severe infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) epizootic in free-ranging alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) in Switzerland in 1993, 19 animals were examined from six different populations. Mucopurulent exudates, reddened conjunctiva and mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration in the conjunctiva and the limbic area were observed in mild cases. In more severe cases, lesions ranged from perilimbic neovascularization to corneal edema, erosion, ulceration and neovascularization accompanied by infiltration of neutrophils. Sometimes an iridocyclitis was observed. In the most advanced stages, the cornea was perforated and an anterior synechia was present. Lesions found in ibex affected with IKC indicated a non-generalized, specific ocular disease. The other organs investigated did not show alterations suggestive of changes induced by agents which might cause IKC, including Chlamydia spp. and Mycoplasma. spp. The microbiological findings indicate that Mycoplasma conjunctivae is the primary pathogenic agent causing IKC in this species in Switzerland.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Chlamydial-caused infectious keratoconjunctivitis in bighorn sheep of Yellowstone National Park.

An epizootic of infectious keratoconjunctivitis occurred in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in Yellowstone National Park during the winter of 1981-82. The causative organism was identified as Chlamydia sp. Mortality related to the epizootic was approximately 60% of an estimated 500 bighorn sheep in the northern range population. The infection probably affected all sex and age classes, but field surveys of live animals and mortality suggested that mature rams died disproportionately. Limited field observations the following winter on individuals having both normal and cloudy-appearing eyes suggested that half of the bighorns then present on the core units of winter range had contracted the disease and survived. By 1988, there were about 300 bighorn sheep in the population.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of specific Mycoplasma conjunctivae antibodies in the sera of sheep with infectious keratoconjunctivitis.

The serological cross reactions between Mycoplasma conjunctivae, the etiological agent of infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC), and the antigenetically and phylogenetically closely related Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, which is often found in sheep, were analysed. Cross reacting antigens were identified using sera from sheep with IKC and from sheep of herds known to be free of IKC, as well as rabbit hyperimmune serum specific to the two Mycoplasma species. Cross reactions were predominantly due to the strongly antigenic proteins of 42 kDa and 83 kDa. Serospecific antigens of M. conjunctivae could be separated from cross-reacting antigens by the extraction of Tween 20-soluble membrane proteins. The Tween 20-extracted proteins of the M. conjunctivae strain HRC/581T were used for the development of an indirect ELISA test. This ELISA test was shown to be a useful serological method for the diagnosis of M. conjunctivae infections and to identify infected sheep herds.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis in free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from Zion National Park, Utah.

An epizootic of infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IK) was studied opportunistically in free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from Zion National Park, Utah (USA), from November 1992 to March 1994. Moraxella sp. and Chlamydia sp. were isolated from the conjunctiva of two of seven deer. In addition, Thelazia californiensis occurred on the conjunctivas of six of seven deer. Based on field observations, adults appeared to be affected clinically at a higher incidence during both years as opposed to juveniles. Corneal opacity was the most apparent clinical sign from 1992 to 1993. However, in the following year, blepharospasm and epiphora were noted more often. We were also able to document the clinical recovery of three affected deer. In addition, Moraxella sp. was recovered from the eyes of a clinically unaffected deer 1 year after the epizootic occurred.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Epidemiological and microbiological study of an outbreak of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in sheep.

After several thousand sheep had been imported from Australia and New Zealand to Croatia during 1995, many native sheep that had been in contact with the imported animals acquired a severe ocular disease closely resembling infectious keratoconjunctivitis. In affected flocks glucose-fermenting mycoplasma were isolated from 48 per cent of conjunctival swabs and Branhamella ovis from 58 per cent. Twelve of 42 culturally and biochemically identical isolates were identified as Mycoplasma conjunctivae by polymerase chain reaction. From the conjunctivae of two animals M conjunctivae and M arginini were isolated in mixed culture. For many reasons most farmers removed the imported animals from their flocks and only sporadic cases of the disease were recognised in 1996. At the end of 1997, six flocks which were clinically free of the disease but had been affected during 1995, and five flocks with no history of the severe ocular disease were examined clinically and microbiologically, and were found to be free of M conjunctivae infection. At the time, B ovis was cultured almost exclusively from sheep originating from flocks which had been affected during 1995 and/or 1996. It was usually isolated in pure culture or as the predominant bacterial species, and was often accompanied by mild conjunctivitis. There were no microbiologically confirmed new cases of infectious keratoconjunctivitis during 1998 and 1999.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Epidemiology of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in cattle in south-east Ethiopia.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of infectious keratoconjunctivitis on cross-breed dairy farms and to evaluate factors that influence its distribution. A total of 11 dairy farms and one cattle cross-breeding farm in different parts of Arsi region, south-east Ethiopia were clinically and bacteriologically investigated from February 1989 to December 1990. Out of 5221 local zebu and cross-breed dairy animals, 110 were found to have different degrees of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis. Of these, 94 (85.5%) were unilateral and 16 (14.5%) were bilateral. The prevalence of the disease was significantly (P < 0.001) influenced by age and breed; high exotic blood level and younger age groups were mainly affected. However, severity of the disease was not significantly associated with age (P > 0.750). Moraxella bovis was isolated from 88 (80%) of the 110 bacteriologically positive cases. Of these isolates, 61 (69%) were haemolytic and 27 (31%) were non-haemolytic strains. Infection with M. bovis was unilateral. Concurrent infections with M. bovis included Actinomyces pyogenes 23 (21%), Staphylococcus aureus 17 (15%), Pasteurella haemolytica nine (8%), Escherichia coli eight (7%) and Proteus spp. four (3.6%).

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Ovine infectious keratoconjunctivitis: a microbiological study of clinically unaffected and affected sheep's eyes with special reference to Mycoplasma conjunctivae.

In a field survey of ovine infectious keratoconjunctivitis, the microbiological flora of 240 clinically unaffected eyes from sheep in 10 flocks was compared with the flora of an equivalent number of clinically affected eyes from 12 natural outbreaks of the disease. Totals of 16 and 17 genera of bacteria were recovered from unaffected and affected eyes, respectively. Staphylococcus, bacillus and branhamella were isolated significantly more often than the other genera of bacteria, in both the unaffected and affected eyes (P less than 0.05). Branhamella ovis and Escherichia coli occurred more frequently in affected eyes, and Staphylococcus aureus occurred more frequently in severely than mildly affected eyes. The genera Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma were isolated from both groups, and Mycoplasma conjunctivae occurred in 92 affected eyes (38.3 per cent), and 27 unaffected eyes (11.3 per cent).

Acholeplasma↗
PubMed1988

The occurrence of Mycoplasma conjunctivae in The Netherlands and its association with infectious keratoconjunctivitis in sheep and goats.

The occurrence of Mycoplasma conjunctivae in the Netherlands is reported for the first time. M. conjunctivae was detected in all five sheep flocks examined with clinical signs of infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) and in none of five sheep flocks without these clinical signs. These observations suggest a primary aetiological role of this organism in IKC in the Netherlands. M. conjunctivae was also detected on a goat farm with clinical signs of IKC. Experiences in culturing this organism are reported. From each sheep flock at least one strain was isolated and characterised in more detail. All Dutch strains, including two strains of M. conjunctivae isolated from sheep milk, as well as type strain HRC 581, formed film and spots which is in contrast with the description of the type strain. All strains, including the type strain, failed to grow in an anaerobic atmosphere generated by GasPak anaerobic system (BBL). Moraxella ovis was detected in nearly all flocks and was apparently not associated with IKC. Mycoplasma arginini was also isolated from ovine eyes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The identification of Mycoplasma conjunctivae as an aetiological agent of infectious keratoconjunctivitis of sheep in South Africa.

Ovine keratoconjunctivitis was successfully reproduced in lambs under 1 year of age, in four separate transmission trials, by the use of mycoplasma isolates obtained from field outbreaks of ovine infectious keratoconjunctivitis. Mycoplasma isolates used in one of these trials, were identified as M. conjunctivae by means of immunofluorescence. Mycoplasma was isolated from approximately 87% of field cases examined. Branhamella ovis was isolated from 22% of field cases examined. No Chlamydia sp. or viruses were isolated from any of the outbreaks.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Isolation of Mycoplasma conjunctivae from conjunctival swabs of Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) affected with infectious keratoconjunctivitis.

Mycoplasma conjunctivae was isolated four times from the eyes of nine Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) suffering from keratoconjunctivitis. The animals examined were affected in two different outbreaks in the Swiss Alps. Parasitological and bacteriological studies, including investigations for chlamydia and mycoplasmas, were performed. The results indicate that M. conjunctivae is the primary pathogenic agent causing infectious keratoconjunctivitis in this species.

Animals↗