Infectious keratoconjunctivitis of ibex, chamois and other Caprinae

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Ophthalmology
• Wildlife Disease Ecology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC), caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae, affects domestic sheep and goats, and is prevalent in Alpine chamois and ibex.
• IKC presents as conjunctivitis and keratitis, potentially leading to corneal opacity or perforation, with mortality rates up to 30% in affected wild Caprinae populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiology of Mycoplasma conjunctivae infection in wild Caprinae.
• To understand the role of domestic sheep as a reservoir for IKC outbreaks in wildlife.
• To identify potential transmission routes and inform prevention strategies for IKC in wild Caprinae.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing studies on IKC in wild Caprinae and domestic sheep.
• Analysis of disease dynamics, including self-maintenance and spillover events.
• Identification of potential vectors and transmission pathways, such as flies on alpine meadows.

Main Results:

• Mycoplasma conjunctivae infection is not self-maintained in chamois but is endemic in domestic sheep.
• Spillover from domestic sheep is a likely source of IKC epidemics in wild Caprinae.
• Flies are implicated as vectors in the transmission of M. conjunctivae on alpine meadows.

Conclusions:

• Preventing IKC spillover from domestic livestock to wild Caprinae is crucial for disease control.
• Further research is needed on the distribution of M. conjunctivae in domestic sheep and the risk of transmission to wildlife.
• Development of control strategies for M. conjunctivae in domestic sheep, potentially through immunological studies, is recommended.