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Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is a widespread ocular disease that affects dairy and beef cattle worldwide, caused by Gram-negative bacteria from the genus Moraxella . It is the most common eye disease in cattle, with symptoms including tearing, ocular pain, corneal opacity, photophobia, ulceration, and, in severe cases, permanent blindness. This study focused on characterizing Moraxella species in a 2022 IBK outbreak in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Ocular swabs from 18 symptomatic Holstein cattle were analyzed through colony isolation, physiological tests, and molecular techniques, including PCR-RFLP and sequencing. Results revealed one isolate of Moraxella bovoculi genotype 1 and five isolates of Moraxella oculi , marking the first report of the latter species in Brazil. This study represents the second report of Moraxella oculi isolation and the first in a country different from the initial report. Notably, Moraxella bovis was not isolated in this outbreak. All isolates exhibited susceptibility to the tested antibiotics. Comparative genomic analysis between the Brazilian Moraxella oculi isolate and the American strain (Tifton 1) revealed 99.5% similarity in the 16–23 S rRNA locus and 99.0% average nucleotide identity.

We describe a multiannual outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis caused by the microsporidium Vittaforma corneae in the Sea of Galilee, Israel. Patients had multifocal punctate corneal infiltrates and reduced visual acuity, confirmed by locally-developed pathogen-specific real-time PCR. Topical chlorhexidine, rather than traditional antimicrobial drugs, proved an effective and safe primary treatment.

Commensal bacteria play an important role in the formation of the immune system but their role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis at the ocular surface and lacrimal gland remains poorly understood. This study investigated the eye and lacrimal gland phenotype in germ-free and conventional C57BL/6J mice. Our results showed that germ-free mice had significantly greater corneal barrier disruption, greater goblet cell loss, and greater total inflammatory cell and CD4+ T cell infiltration within the lacrimal gland compared to the conventionally housed group. A greater frequency of CD4+IFN-γ+ cells was observed in germ-free lacrimal glands. Females exhibited a more severe phenotype compared to males. Adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells isolated from female germ-free mice into RAG1KO mice transferred Sjögren-like lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis. Fecal microbiota transplant from conventional mice reverted dry eye phenotype in germ-free mice and decreased CD4+IFN-γ+ cells to levels similar to conventional C57BL/6J mice. These findings indicate that germ-free mice have a spontaneous lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis similar to that observed in Sjögren syndrome patients and demonstrate that commensal bacteria function in maintaining immune homeostasis on the ocular surface. Thus, manipulation of intestinal commensal bacteria has the potential to become a novel therapeutic approach to treat Sjögren Syndrome.

Atopy is defined as a predisposition to hypersensitivity reactions against a range of antigens. It is characterized by the activation of CD4+ T helper type 2 (Th2) cells and an increased production of immunoglobulin E (IgE). The most common atopic conditions are atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, and atopic ocular diseases. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is a chronic, bilateral inflammatory condition affecting the ocular surface, frequently occurring in conjunction with atopic dermatitis. It is not uncommon for patients to present with multiple conditions simultaneously or in a sequential manner. A comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms of atopic diseases is essential for the effective clinical evaluation and treatment. Recent research has underscored the pivotal role of the microbiota in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and atopic eye diseases, with alterations in microbial composition (dysbiosis) being linked to a spectrum of atopic conditions. Probiotics are currently being investigated as a potential treatment option for restoring microbial balance and alleviating disease symptoms. This review examines the relationship between atopic dermatitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and the microbiota, evaluating the current evidence and exploring the potential of probiotics as a novel therapeutic approach.

BackgroundGonorrhoea is on the rise: between 2021 and 2022, a 50% and a 33% increase in diagnoses was seen, respectively, in England and the Netherlands. A concurrent rise in gonococcal keratoconjunctivitis (GKC) is a serious concern due to the potentially devastating visual complications.MethodsThis is a retrospective case series of adult GKC from two Western European tertiary ophthalmology centres between 2017 and July 2023. The clinical features, ocular complications and antimicrobial susceptibilities are reported within.ResultsAn increased incidence was recorded at both centres, with 11 confirmed cases in the first 7 months of 2023, compared with ≤3 per year in 2017–2022.ConclusionThe notable increase of GKC cases in our centres in 2023 may indicate a rise across Western Europe. Enhanced, sustained, national surveillance of GKC is essential to establish incidence and antimicrobial susceptibility, to inform treatment guidelines and guide appropriate public health response.

Objective To report four cases of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis (MKC) from The Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (from May 2023 to October 2024) and to aid ophthalmologists in diagnosing and treating MKC, as MKC has been increasingly reported in Asian healthy individuals but not much in Mainland China. Methods Four patients with MKC were studied. Demographic information, symptoms, and clinical data were collected. Diagnosis involved ophthalmic examinations, corneal scraping microscopy (including Giemsa staining, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining, Calcofour white staining), bacterial and fungal cultures, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Treatment included various topical medications like polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), fluconazole, tacrolimus, sodium hyaluronate, and systemic medication such as albendazole. Results Three cases were caused by Encephalitozoon hellem proved by mNGS. Patients had symptoms like eye redness, swelling, pain, foreign body sensation, and vision loss. Risk factors included improper contact lens - wearing habits, contact with birds, or exposure to potentially contaminated environments. All patients showed improvements after treatment, with 3 cases cured and 1 case improved. Conclusion MKC is a unilateral, acute, non-purulent ocular surface infectious disease. Clinicians should be more aware of it. Diagnosis depends on recognizing clinical signs, exploring risk factors, and laboratory tests. There is no consensus on treatment, but combined topical and systemic anti-protozoal drugs showed good results. Further large-scale validation is needed. Relevant departments should strengthen water source management, and patients should pay attention to personal hygiene.

The epidemiology of bovine keratoconjunctivitis (BK) is complex and involves several conjunctival microbiota as well as host and environmental factors. Data about BK in dairy cattle are scarce, and even scarcer for dairy cattle in Mediterranean climates. We determined the BK prevalence among dairy cattle in Southern Africa’s Mediterranean climatic zone by examining 1,675 dairy cattle across 28 herds. Conjunctival swabs were analysed using real-time PCR. Risk factor data were collected by questionnaire and evaluated by multivariable logistic regression. The BK prevalence was 19.4%, (95% CI: 15.0 – 24.8%). Mesomycoplasma bovoculi was demonstrated in 75.7% of the sampled eyes (95% CI: 62.8 – 85.2%) across all farms. Moraxella bovis (18.3%, 95% CI: 11.9 – 27.0%) and Moraxella bovoculi (8.6%, 95% CI: 4.6 – 15.6%) were detected on 89% and 64% of the farms, respectively. Mycoplasmopsis bovis was rarely encountered. Moraxella bovoculi was significantly associated with BK (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.3 – 5.6, Wald P: 0.01). Prevalence varied significantly by age and breed. Shade availability (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4 – 4.4, Wald P < 0.01), sanitation frequency, (OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2 – 1.0, Wald P: 0.05), fly burden (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3 – 3.6, Wald P < 0.01) and introduced cattle (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1 – 3.5, Wald P: 0.02) were significantly associated with the prevalence of BK. Closed herds with proper biosecurity, fly control via sound management practices, and access to shade are recommended for preventing BK in dairy herds farmed in a Mediterranean climate.

Purpose To assess the clinical characteristics, progression patterns, and treatment outcomes of microbiologically confirmed microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis (MKC). Methods This prospective cross-sectional study included patients with superficial punctate epithelial keratitis clinically suspected of MKC. Comprehensive slit-lamp examinations were conducted, and corneal scraping was performed for Gram-chromotrope staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. A standardized questionnaire gathered demographic data, clinical features, and risk behaviors. Treatment regimens and corneal findings, including medication and frequency, were documented at each visit. Results PCR confirmed the diagnosis of MKC in 96 out of 117 eyes (82.1%), identifying Vittaforma corneae in 93.7% of cases, Microsporidium sp. in 4.2%, and Encephalitozoon hellem in 2.1%. All cases exhibited similar characteristics and pattern of progression, including elevated epithelial lesions in diffused distribution (34.1%), typical target lesions (31.3%), and subepithelial infiltrations (41.7%). Treatment with topical moxifloxacin, with or without oral albendazole, followed by topical steroids for subepithelial infiltrates, led to clinical improvement within approximately two weeks, with 52% of patients achieving complete recovery. Conclusions This study identifies key clinical features and progression patterns in MKC. Topical fluoroquinolone monotherapy, or its combination with topical steroids or oral albendazole, results in favorable visual outcomes without corneal scarring. These insights may inform and enhance clinical management of MKC.

Abstract Background Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) in beef cattle has major welfare and production implications. Effective vaccination against IBK would also reduce antibiotic use in beef production. Objective/Hypothesis To evaluate the efficacy of a conditionally licensed commercial IBK vaccine containing Moraxella bovoculi bacterin. Primary working hypothesis was that animals vaccinated with 2 doses of the commercial M. bovoculi vaccine would have a lower risk of disease. Animals Spring born calves at a university cow-calf herd. After excluding animals with ocular lesions, calves eligible for prevention assessment in 2017 and 2018 were 163 (81 vaccinated, 82 unvaccinated) and 207 (105 vaccinated, 102 unvaccinated). One hundred sixty two and two hundred and six calves completed the follow-up period in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Methods A randomized controlled trial. The trial design was a 2-arm parallel trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Results In both years, calves receiving the vaccine had more IBK. This effect was small. The pooled risk ratio was 1.30 (95% confidence interval 0.84–2.01). The pooled unadjusted difference in mean weight (kg) at weaning was −0.88 (95% confidence interval—7.2-5.43). Conclusions and Clinical Importance We were unable to document that the M. bovoculi bacterin vaccine had a protective effect for the incidence of IBK in our single herd in a 2-year study.

Moraxella bovoculi is a recently described bacterium that is associated with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) or “pinkeye” in cattle. In this study, closed circularized genomes were generated for seven M. bovoculi isolates: three that originated from the eyes of clinical IBK bovine cases and four from the deep nasopharynx of asymptomatic cattle. Isolates that originated from the eyes of IBK cases profoundly differed from those that originated from the nasopharynx of asymptomatic cattle in genome structure, gene content and polymorphism diversity and consequently placed into two distinct phylogenetic groups. These results suggest that there are genetically distinct strains of M. bovoculi that may not associate with IBK.