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Biological Processes in the Epidemiology of Heartwater

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Tick Vector Biology

Summary

Heartwater, a rickettsial disease of ruminants, caused by Cowdria ruminantium, is transmitted by various tick species of the genus Amblyomma. It occurs through most of sub-Saharan Africa, where it is of considerable economic importance, and has spread to a number of islands in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and the Caribbean and now poses a threat to the American mainland.

Until recently our understanding of the epidemiology of the disease was poor. However, this situation is changing with developments such as the in vitro culture of C. ruminantium and increased research on heartwater and its vectors in a number of countries. The purpose of this chapter is to review our knowledge of various biological processes in the epidemiology of heartwater, including host/tick interactions, the persistence of infection in ruminants and infection in vectors. Background information on the ecology and distribution of the vectors and on the disease itself is also given. The control of heartwater is discussed in the light of new information.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Tropical Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA

    R. A. I. Norval & M. J. Burridge

  2. Veterinary Research Laboratory, University of Florida/USAID/Zimbabwe Heartwater Research Project, P.O. Box 8101, Causeway, Zimbabwe

    H. R. Andrew & C. E. Yunker

Authors
  1. R. A. I. Norval
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  2. H. R. Andrew
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  3. C. E. Yunker
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  4. M. J. Burridge
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© 1992 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Norval, R.A.I., Andrew, H.R., Yunker, C.E., Burridge, M.J. (1992). Biological Processes in the Epidemiology of Heartwater. In: Tick Vector Biology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76643-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-76643-5_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-76645-9

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