Open Access
Research (Published online: 14-09-2023)
9. Association of different microbes and pathogenic factors in cases of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in cattle from Eastern Kazakhstan
Marat Kuibagarov, Elmira Abdullina, Anara Ryskeldina, Bolat Abdigulov, Asylulan Amirgazin, Alexandr Shevtsov, and John A. Angelos
Veterinary World, 16(9): 1833-1839

Marat Kuibagarov: National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan.
Elmira Abdullina: Department of Veterinary and Agricultural Management, Shakarim University, Semey, 071412, Kazakhstan.
Anara Ryskeldina: National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan.
Bolat Abdigulov: National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan.
Asylulan Amirgazin: National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan.
Alexandr Shevtsov: National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan.
John A. Angelos: Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1833-1839

Article history: Received: 19-05-2023, Accepted: 09-08-2023, Published online: 14-09-2023

Corresponding author: Alexandr Shevtsov

E-mail: ncbshevtsov@gmail.com

Citation: Kuibagarov M, Abdullina E, Ryskeldina A, Abdigulov B, Amirgazin A, Shevtsov A, and Angelos JA (2023) Association of different microbes and pathogenic factors in cases of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in cattle from Eastern Kazakhstan, Veterinary World, 16(9): 1833-1839.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) causes a significant economic loss to cattle industries in many countries, including Kazakhstan. Although Moraxella bovis is recognized as an etiologic agent of IBK, other bacterial and viral agents have been suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. This study aimed to evaluate samples collected from the eyes of IBK-affected cattle in Eastern Kazakhstan at different stages of IBK for the presence of Mor. bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi, and Bovine Herpes Virus Type 1 (BHV-1) and to characterize Mor. bovoculi pilA gene sequence diversity from Mor. bovoculi positive samples.

Materials and Methods: Individual ocular swabs (n = 168) were collected from cattle that had clinical signs of IBK during the summer of 2022 on farms in the Abay region of Kazakhstan. Eye lesion scores (1, 2, and 3) were assigned depending on the degree of ocular damage. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis-associated organisms were detected using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. The Mor. bovoculi pilA gene was sequenced from Mor. bovoculi positive samples.

Results: Mycoplasma bovis and BHV-1 were not detected in any of the collected samples. Mycoplasma bovoculi was identified in the majority of samples overall, usually in mixed infection with Moraxella spp. Moraxella bovoculi was detected in 76.2% of animals and predominated in animals with eye lesion scores 2 and 3. Mycoplasma bovoculi was detected only in association with Mor. bovis and/or Mor. bovoculi in animals with eye lesion scores 2 and 3. Moraxella bovis was found in 57.7% of animals and was always identified in association with another organism. Sequencing of the pilA gene in 96 samples from Mor. bovoculi positive samples identified five PilA groups. The majority belonged to PilA group A. However, three new PilA groups were identified and designated PilA groups N, O, and P.

Conclusion: The results indicate a high prevalence of Myc. bovoculi and Mor. bovoculi in eyes of cattle with IBK on livestock farms in Eastern Kazakhstan. Additional novel Mor. bovoculi PilA groups were identified.

Keywords: bovine herpes virus, infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi.