Genova identifies new moraxella bovoculi in pinkeye cases

PINKEYE IN CATTLE CAUSED BY MORAXELLA BOVOCULI

Moraxella bovoculi has been isolated with increasing frequency in pinkeye cases. Once thought to only be a summer disease and caused by Moraxella bovis, diagnostic labs are now finding Moraxella bovoculi in a large number of pinkeye cases. Genova Labs has helped develop PCR technology that can differentiate between Moraxella species. We are now able to identify strain variations within the new Moraxella bovoculi, as well as, Moraxella bovis or Moraxella (Branhamella) ovis isolates.

MORAXELLA BOVOCULI – AN AGENT IN INFECTIOUS BOVINE KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS?

Many veterinarians are isolating only Moraxella bovoculi in pinkeye cases. Recently suspected as an agent in pinkeye infections, Moraxella bovoculi has not yet been confirmed as a standalone pathogen in pinkeye. Symptoms caused by Moraxella bovoculi mirror those of Moraxella bovis. Cattle vaccinated with commercial Moraxella bovis vaccines have broken with pinkeye. At first it was thought the vaccines were ineffective, but upon further examination and diagnostic work, it was found that the only organism isolated in these pinkeye breaks was Moraxella bovoculi.