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Recent Research Findings on Cowdriosis

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Ehrlichiosis

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science ((CTVM,volume 54))

Abstract

A series of interesting and important research findings on cowdriosis have stimulated and renewed widespread interest in this disease. The most important development is the successful in-vitro cultivation of different stocks of the microorganism in bovine endothelial cell and goat neutrophil cultures. In-vitro cultivation opens many new avenues of research that should lead, not only to a better understanding of the bacterium, but also to the development of diagnostic methods and practical safe methods of immunization. The identification of new potential tick vectors and non-ruminant hosts, such as the guinea-fowl, scrub hare, and leopard tortoise, emphasizes the complexity of the epidemiology of the disease. Recent isolates of murinotropic stocks of Cowdria ruminantium have proved to be very suitable for studying the infectivity of tissue cultures and freeze-dried material, as well as for the screening of new drugs for specific or supportive treatment of heartwater disease. Since there is no cross-protection between various stocks of C. ruminantium, the selection of a single stock of the microorganism for the development of a vaccine is unlikely. Although distinct serotypes were found in the genus Cowdria, the serological cross-reactions between C. ruminantium and certain members of the genus Ehrlichia emphasizes the close relationship that exists between these two genera. Serological cross-reactions between the genera also complicate interpretation of epidemiologic data of heartwater disease. The recent world-wide surge of research on C. ruminantium will undoubtedly greatly enhance our knowledge of heartwater disease.

Synonymous with heartwater, blacklung, daji enguruti, kabowa, khadar, and magak disease.

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Authors
  1. J. D. Bezuidenhout D.V.Sc.
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Office of the Director of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    Jim C. Williams Ph.D.

  2. Bacteriology Division, Department of Intracellular Pathogens, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA

    Jim C. Williams Ph.D.

  3. Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA

    Ibulaimu Kakoma D.V.M., Ph.D.

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© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Bezuidenhout, J.D. (1990). Recent Research Findings on Cowdriosis. In: Williams, J.C., Kakoma, I. (eds) Ehrlichiosis. Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, vol 54. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1998-3_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1998-3_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7394-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1998-3

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