The Role of Environmental Factors in the Epidemiology of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis

Gabriele Maier; Binh Doan; Annette M O'Connor

doi:10.1016/j.cvfa.2021.03.006

The Role of Environmental Factors in the Epidemiology of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis

Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2021 Jul;37(2):309-320. doi: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2021.03.006.

Authors

Gabriele Maier¹, Binh Doan², Annette M O'Connor³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, VM3B, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address: gumaier@ucdavis.edu.
² Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 51 Newton Road, 1-400 BSB, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
³ Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Road, Room G-100, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

PMID: 34049661
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2021.03.006

Abstract

Environmental factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) include face flies, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and mechanical irritation from plant awns or dust. Limited research has shown face fly control to be associated with lower incidence of IBK. UV radiation is known to cause corneal irritation and damage in mammalian species. The increased formation of corneal dark cells has been observed following UV radiation in exposed calves. Moraxella bovis preferentially binds to corneal dark cells where it can be found in pits, which may be formed due to bacterial contact. Little is known about the efficacy of management of pasture plants on the prevention of IBK.

Keywords: Environment; Face flies; Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis; Musca autumnalis De Geer; Plant awns; Ultraviolet radiation.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animal Husbandry
Animals
Cattle
Cattle Diseases / etiology*
Cattle Diseases / prevention & control
Diptera*
Eye Foreign Bodies / veterinary*
Keratoconjunctivitis, Infectious / etiology*
Ultraviolet Rays