Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Infectious bovine keratoconjuntivitis (IBK) is a disease of cattle occurring perennially in all areas where cattle are raised. It is caused by a Gram-negative diplobacillus, Moraxella bovis. The organism is carried by diseased and inapparent carrier cattle. Signs begin with lacrimation, proceed to corneal ulcer formation, corneal opacity, corneal vascularization, and scar formation. Occasionally weakening of the cornea leads to rupture and subsequent loss of the eye.

There is no effective treatment for IBK. Early in the infection, repeated applications of antiseptic solutions containing heavy metals, antibiotic ointments, powders, or sprays are helpful. The problem of maintaining effective therapeutic levels of the drug of choice in the ocular tissues makes repeated applications necessary. Systemic administration of antibiotics or sulfa drugs may be used to maintain effective levels. Such applications may be impractical in large groups of cattle dispersed over wide areas. Immunoprophylaxis has not been developed to a practical tool.