Microbial flora of the eyes of cattle

The bacteria and mycoplasma occurring in the eyes of normal healthy calves were monitored in three groups of animals from purchase at about one week old to slaughter at about 15 months old. Non-haemolytic Moraxella bovis, Branhamella catarrhalis and Mycoplasma bovoculi were all isolated regularly, though their seasonal occurrence varied. The significance of these findings with respect to infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis is discussed.