Lesions associated with infectious keratoconjunctivitis in alpine ibex

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Ophthalmology
• Wildlife Disease Ecology
• Microbiology

Background:

• A severe infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) epizootic affected free-ranging alpine ibex in Switzerland in 1993.
• IKC is a significant ocular disease impacting wildlife populations, causing inflammation and potential vision loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical signs and etiological agents of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in alpine ibex following a 1993 epizootic.
• To determine the primary causative agent responsible for IKC in this wild ungulate population.

Main Methods:

• Examination of 19 alpine ibex from six different populations exhibiting clinical signs of IKC.
• Histopathological analysis of ocular tissues to assess inflammatory responses and lesion severity.
• Microbiological investigations, including testing for Chlamydia spp. and Mycoplasma spp., to identify the causative pathogen.

Main Results:

• Observed mild cases with mucopurulent exudates and conjunctival inflammation; severe cases showed corneal edema, ulceration, neovascularization, and potential perforation.
• Histopathology revealed specific ocular lesions consistent with a non-generalized ocular disease.
• Microbiological analysis identified Mycoplasma conjunctivae as the primary pathogenic agent, with no evidence of Chlamydia spp. or other Mycoplasma spp. causing the observed lesions.

Conclusions:

• Mycoplasma conjunctivae is confirmed as the primary etiological agent responsible for infectious keratoconjunctivitis in Swiss alpine ibex.
• The disease presents as a specific ocular condition, with other organs showing no significant alterations.
• Findings provide crucial insights into the epidemiology and causative agents of IKC in wildlife, aiding future disease management strategies.