Isolation and Identification of Moraxella Species Isolated from EyEs In Farm Animals

Moraxella bovis is the primary etiologic agent of infectiousbovine kerato-conjunctivitis (IBK), the most important oculardisease of cattle and sheep worldwide. Cattle and sheep are the onlyknown reservoirs for this bacterium. The same serotype can remainon the farm, probably in carrier animals, from year to year. Thisbacterium is transmitted by animal handlers or direct animal-to-animal contact with nasal and ocular discharges of infected animals,contact with fomites, and most commonly by mechanical vectors.We studied the clinical picture and symptoms of Moraxellaspp. in farm animals in Sharkia govemorate including cattle andsheep; we observed that the clinical appearance, persistence ofinfection, and rate of progression of the disease varied from animalto animal under field conditions. Generally, conjunctivitis precedesthe keratitis. The conjunctiva is hyperemic and edematous, andblepharitis may be present.Microscopical examination revealed coccoid to medium longbacteria, in pairs or chains. The organisms were Gram-negative, butin many instances some resistance to decolorization was observed.In all strains a distinct, but most often very narrow zone of ~-haemolysis was observed around colonies on blood agar. Thecatalase reaction was uniformly positive. All isolated strains werestrongly oxidase positive. Weak acid production was observed.