Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), also known as pinkeye, New Forest eye or blight,[1] is a veterinary infection of cattle caused by Moraxella bovis, a Gram-negative, β-haemolytic, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium.
IBK is similar to human pink eye and causes severe infection of the conjunctiva, edema, corneal opacity, and ulceration.
This bacterium is an obligate intracellular parasite of the mucous membranes, and can usually be isolated from the respiratory tract, vagina, and conjunctiva of healthy animals.
UV light also directly damages the corneal epithelium, leading to a breakdown in host innate immunity.
Dust, dried-up plants, tall vegetation, and oversized or incorrectly placed ear tags may cause mechanical damage to the eye and facilitate bacterial colonization.
Anti-inflammatory therapy can help shorten recovery times, but topical corticosteroids should be used with care if corneal ulcers are present.
M. bovis uses several different serotyped fimbriae as virulence factors, consequently pharmaceutical companies have exploited this to create vaccines.