Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of subconjunctival injection of clindamycin in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Objectives To determine the clinical efficacy of subconjunctival injection of clindamycin in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK).

Animal studied Clinically, out of 81 animals examined, 46 were found to be suffering from IBK of variable severity. The ocular secretions were collected and cultured for Moraxella bovis. The study included 36 Holstein cattle from which M. Bovis was isolated. These animals ranged between 4 and 28 months of age.

Procedures The severity of the clinical findings were scored as normal, mild, moderate, and severe. Clindamycin was injected subconjunctivally at a total dose of 150 mg (1 mL), once daily for 3 days to the test group (n = 18); isotonic saline solution (1 mL) was administered to the control group. After treatment, all cattle were re-examined and clinical response was evaluated on days 3, 7 and 15 post-treatment.

Results Compared with the control group and prior to treatment, all active lesions such as blepharospasm, epiphora, photophobia, chemosis, corneal edema, and corneal ulceration were generally resolved by day 15 after subconjunctival injection of clindamycin. Severity of IBK lesions increased on days 3 and 7, compared to baseline in the control group administered isotonic saline solution.

Conclusions The results of this study suggest that subconjunctival injection of clindamycin is effective in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.