Pinkeye due to Moraxella bovis and/or Moraxella bovoculi (formerly Moraxella ovis)
- Field reports suggest that significant antigenic variation exists between strains
- Increasing incidence of clinical pinkeye in the winter suggests that this is becoming a year-round problem
- Newport's bacterial DNA genotyping can differentiate between strains for isolate selection
The "New Pinkeye" Challenge: Moraxella bovoculi Diagnosis Increasing, PCR Detects Toxin Genes
Pinkeye, or infectious keratoconjunctivitis, is a well-recognized problem in cattle. It has resulted in permanent damage to cattle eyes and robbed cattleman of profits for decades. In fact, the USDA estimates that pinkeye costs the U.S. cattle industry $150 million annually. Over the years, veterinarians and producers have used a variety of treatment regimens as well as a variety of commercial bacterins, coupled with various management practices, to aid in the prevention of the disease in an attempt to minimize the associated losses.
Update on the "New Pinkeye": Reports of Year-Round Incidence
Based on submissions to Newport Laboratories and other diagnostic laboratories, the incidence of pinkeye is increasing each year. Most of the isolates associated with these cases are Moraxella bovoculi.
