title: Mycoplasma bovoculi infection increases ocular colonization by Moraxella ovis in calves.
abstract: To determine whether infection with Mycoplasma bovoculi increases ocular colonization of cattle eyes with Moraxella bovis and other bacteria, colonization of ocular gram-negative bacteria were measured in eyes of cattle infected with Mycoplasma bovoculi. Strains of Moraxella ovis were chosen because these are among the most commonly isolated species of gram-negative bacteria from cattle eyes. Five strains of M ovis were characterized biochemically and by pilus structure, permitting the recognition of 2 biotypes. All strains were tested in a mouse corneal pathogenicity model. One strain of each biotype was selected for testing in calves. All 5 strains were apathogenic for mice, and the 2 strains tested in cattle did not induce keratitis. Infection of calves with Mycoplasma bovoculi increased the amount and persistence of colonization with the strains of M ovis.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005123:Eye / Q000382:microbiology*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007634:Keratitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009016:Moraxella / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*