Isolation and characterization of Mycoplasma conjunctivae sp. n. from sheep and goats with keratoconjunctivitis.

Fourteen conjunctival strains of mycoplasma were isolated from infected sheep and goats in two separate naturally occurring outbreaks of keratoconjunctivitis (pink-eye). The biological and serological properties and cell protein patterns of these strains are presented in this report. These strains were related to each other and were unrelated to 40 recognized Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma species and serotypes. We are proposing that this group of mycoplasmas be named M. conjunctivae. The role of M. conjunctivae in the etiology of keratoconjunctivitis in sheep and goats remains to be determined.