Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis 2019
microorganisms in nature (Ely et al., 2017).
Etiology
Moraxella bovis is the most common etiological agent isolated in chronic and severe instance
of IBK. Some of the bacteria characteristics are responsible for taking crucial part to evolve
the disease. Especially the components such as pili, discharge of cytotoxin and hemolysin,
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also outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharides. The different virulence strains of the
disease are associated with capsular pili. Pili is important structural attributes that helps the
bacteria to adhere to the corneal surface. Attachment keeps bacteria safe from blinking
activity of the eyelids and being washed off by the lachrymal secretions (Postma et al., 2007).
The pilated strain of Moraxella bovis is the only form able to cause infection and clinical
signs. Nonpilated forms do not cause infections