(M. bovis, M. ovis, M. bovoculi)

Species: Bovine, ovine and other ruminants

Specimen: conjunctival or ocular swab or swab of ocular secretions

Container: Sterile container, vacutainer

Collection protocol: If possible, take a swab of lacrimal secretions deep in the inner canthus of the eye, or swab of fluid from the conjunctiva and ocular surfaces of the eye. Send swab in sterile container e.g. red top vacutainer. Swabs can also be sent in microbiological transport media. Pooling up to 5 swabs in the same sample container is acceptable.

Special handling/shipping requirements: Samples are to be transported and stored chilled. Do not freeze samples.

General information about the disease:  Moraxella bovis is considered the main causative agent of Pinkeye in cattle.  There is also a suggestion that Moraxella bovoculi and other pathogens such as Mycoplasma spp. and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) may facilitate Moraxella bovis – associated ocular colonization or spread.

Comparison with other related tests: Moraxella spp. can be cultured but qPCR apart from providing a rapid alternative is particularly useful in cases where culture results in a heavy mixed growth of organisms (contaminants/normal flora) with no significant isolates identified.