Isolation and application of novel bacteriophages against the cattle pathogen Moraxella bovis 

Benjamin Swift (Carus Animal Health, Stevenage, United Kingdom)

17:45 - 18:00 Monday 13 April Morning

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Abstract

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is the most important ocular disease of cattle worldwide. The infection is primarily caused by Moraxella bovis and is highly contagious, significantly impacting cattle welfare and productivity. Currently, antibiotics are the main treatment option; however, rising concerns about antimicrobial resistance and the logistical challenges of treating large herds highlight the need for alternative therapies. Here, we describe the isolation and development of a novel phage cocktail to treat IBK and propose an innovative delivery method to reduce its impact in cattle. Materials and Methods: Over 30 novel M. bovis phages were isolated from cattle eye and nasal swabs. These were characterised by genome sequencing, host range testing against 41 clinical M. bovis isolates, and visualised using transmission electron microscopy. Using a novel gelling agent, a three-phage cocktail was formulated and evaluated for efficacy against a broad panel of M. bovis strains. The formulation was further tested in vivo in a pilot study of IBK infectivity and phage therapy. Results: Five lytic phages exhibited broad host range, infecting over 90% of the clinical isolates. These were stable within the gelling agent and selected for in vivo testing. In the pilot infection study, treatment with the phage cocktail resulted in a significant reduction in culturable M. bovis from the eyes of infected cattle. Conclusions: The isolated phages show strong therapeutic potential and represent a promising foundation for the development of phage-based treatments against M. bovis infections.

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