engleski

Epizootiological and microbiological study of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in sheep

Epizootical and clinical observations during an outbreak of ocular disease in sheep were indicative in ovine infectious keratoconjunctivitis. Clinical diagnosis was cinfirmed by numerous isolation of mycoplasmas and Branhamella ovis. All investigations clearly indicated that the epizootic of OIKC in native sheep was related to the import of infected animals. Introduction of imported sheep and rams into the floks and direct contact with them were mostly responsible for the appearance of the disease in native sheep. From the glucose-fermenting arginin-negative strains, 10 out of 12 isolates were identified by PCR as M. conjunctivae. It therefore can be assumed that the majority of the other isolates with the same characteristics morphological and physiological properties also belonged to this species.The finding of M. conjunctivae in a large number of animals from the affected native floks, especially in those untreated with antibiotics, and the absence of infection in the healthy native floks supported the hypothesis that mycoplasmas were the primary cause of ovine keratoconjunctivitis. Although Branhamella ovis could not be assumed as primary etiological agens of OIKC as shown by others, its incidence rate their close relation with the disease.

M. conjunctivae; OIKC

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