Antimicrobial Activity of Ultraviolet C Light as a Potential Novel Treatment for Moraxella bovis Infection-An In Vitro Study.

UV-C light demonstrates 100% bactericidal activity against M. bovis in vitro; clinical trials warranted.

This in vitro study evaluated ultraviolet C (UV-C) light at 275 nm wavelength as a novel antimicrobial treatment against Moraxella bovis, a pathogenic bacterium affecting cattle ocular health. Researchers tested a modified, affordable handheld UV-C device on three clinical isolates of M. bovis at varying distances (10, 15, 20 mm) and exposure times (5, 15, 30 seconds), with single or double doses four hours apart. Results demonstrated 100% bactericidal efficacy with a single 15-second exposure at 10 mm distance across all isolates. At greater distances, either two doses or extended 30-second exposure achieved similar results. Importantly, no bacterial regrowth occurred following artificial light exposure, suggesting photoreactivation does not confer resistance to UV-C treatment. The authors propose UV-C therapy could substantially reduce antibiotic dependence in cattle, thereby decreasing drug withdrawal periods for food-producing animals—with significant implications for the cattle industry. While safety studies are reportedly underway, the authors recommend proceeding to clinical trials to validate these promising in vitro findings and establish practical treatment protocols.

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