Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Correlation between antibodies to Cowdria ruminantium (Rickettsiales) in cattle and the distribution of Amblyomma vector ticks in Zimbabwe

  • Published:
Experimental & Applied Acarology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Cowdriosis, caused by Cowdria ruminantium, is transmitted by Amblyomma ticks, which are widely distributed in Zimbabwe. To assess the distribution of this disease in Zimbabwe, cattle either exposed to Amblyomma ticks or maintained in areas free from these ticks were tested for antibodies to Cowdria. A total of 324 sera were tested using competitive ELISA and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). At diptanks in Amblyomma-infested areas 52% (n=95) and 26% (n=47) of sera were positive by cELISA and IFAT, respectively. At diptanks in Amblyomma-free areas 11% (n=125) and 10% (n=134) of sera were positive by cELISA and IFAT, respectively. The results were significantly different between Amblyomma-infested and tick-free areas (χ2=24.73, P≤0.005 for IFAT and χ2=57.53, P≤0.005 for cELISA). High background readings in field sera, possibly due to cross-reactive antibodies to Ehrlichia spp., complicated the determination of a realistic cut-off point, especially in cELISA. On the basis of the distribution of Amblyomma ticks, currently a large part of Zimbabwe can be considered endemic for the disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AsselbergsA., JongejanF., LangaA., NevesL. and AfonsoS. 1993. Antibodies to Cowdria ruminantium in Mozambiquan goats and cattle detected by immunofluorescence using endothelial cell culture antigen. Trop. Anim. Hlth. Prod. 25: 144–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • BirnieE.F., BurridgeM.J., CamusE. and Barre. 1985. Heartwater in the Caribbean: isolation of Cowdria ruminantium from Antigua. Vet. Rec., 116: 121–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • DuPlessisJ.L., CamusE., OberemP.T. and MalanL., 1987. Heartwater serology: some problems with the interpretation of results. Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res., 54: 327–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • DuPlessisJ.L. and MalanL., 1987. Problems with the interpretation of epidemiological data in heartwater: a study on 23 farms. Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res., 54: 427–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • DuPlessisJ.L., BezuidenhoutJ.D., BrettM.S., CamusE., JongejanF., MahanS.M. and MartinezD., 1993. The serodiagnosis of heartwater: a comparison of 5 tests. Revue Élev. Méd. vét. Pays trop. 46: 123–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • JongejanF., 1992. Serodiagnosis of Cowdria ruminantium: current status. In: Recent Developments in the Control of Anaplasmosis. Babesiosis and Cowdriosis: Proceedings of a Workshop held at ILRAD, Nairobi. Kenya. 13–15 May 1991. ed. T.T.Dolan. Nairobi, The International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases. pp. 67–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • JongejanF. and ThielemansM.J.C., 1989. Identification of an immunodominant antigenically conserved 32-kilodalton protein from Cowdria ruminantium. Infect. Immun., 57: 3243–3246.

    Google Scholar 

  • JongejanF., ThielemansM.J.C., DeGrootM., VanKootenP.J.S. and Van DerZeijstB.A.M., 1991. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for heartwater using monoclonal antibodies to a Cowdria ruminantium specific 32-kilodalton protein. Vet. Microbiol., 28: 199–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • JongejanF., deVriesN., NieuwenhuysH., VanVlietA.H.M. and WassinkL.A., 1993. The immunodominant 32-kilodalton protein of Cowdria ruminantium is conserved within the genus Ehrlichia. Revue Élev. Méd. vét. Pays trop. 46: 145–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • KockN.D., JongejanF., KockM.D., KockR.A. and MorkelP., 1992. Serological evidence for Cowdria ruminantium infection in free-ranging black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceroses in Zimbabwe. J. Zoo and Wildl. Med. 23: 409–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • MahanS.M., TebeleN., MukwedeyaD., SemuS., NyathiC.B., WassinkL.A., KellyP.J., PeterT. and BarbetA.F., 1993. An immunoblotting diagnostic assay for heartwater based on the immunodominant 32 kD protein of Cowdria ruminantium detects false positives in field sera. J. Clin. Microbia., 31: 2729.

    Google Scholar 

  • MartinezD., CoisneS., SheikboudouC. and JongejanF., 1993. Detection of antibodies to Cowdria ruminantium in the serum of domestic ruminants by indirect ELISA. Revuc Élev. Méd. vét. Pays trop. 46: 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • MartinezD., SwinkelsJ., CamusE. and JongejanF., 1990. Comparaison de trois antigenes pour le séro-diagnostic de la cowdriose par immunofluorescence indirecte. Revue Élev. Méd. vét. Pays trop., 43: 159–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • MatsonB.A., 1966. Epizootiology and control of tick-borne diseases of cattle in Rhodesia. Rhod. Agric. J., 63: 118–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller KoboldA., MartinezD., CamusE. and JongejanF. 1992. Distribution of heartwater in the Caribbean determined on the basis of detection of antibodies to the conserved 32-kilodalton protein of Cowdria ruminantium. J. Clin. Microbiol., 30: 1870–1873.

    Google Scholar 

  • NorvalR.A.I., 1979. Tick infestations and tick-borne diseases in Zimbabwe Rhodesia. J. South Afr. Vet. Ass., 50: 289–292.

    Google Scholar 

  • NorvalR.A.I., 1981. The ticks of Zimbabwe. III. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi. Zimbabwe Vet. J., 12: 31–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • NorvalR.A.I., 1982. The ticks of Zimbabwe. IV. The genus Hyalomma. Zimbabwe Vet. J., 13: 2–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • NorvalR.A.I., 1983. The ticks of Zimbabwe. VII. The genus Amblyomma. Zimbabwe Vet. J., 14: 3–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • NorvalR.A.I., AndrewH.R. and YunkerC.E., 1990. Infection rates with Cowdria ruminantium of nymphs and adults of the bont tick Amblyomma hebraeum collected in the field in Zimbabwe. Vet. Parasitol., 36: 277–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • NorvalR.A.I., PerryB.D. and HargreavesS.K., 1992. Tick and tick-borne disease control in Zimbabwe: what might the future hold? Zimbabwe Vet. J., 23: 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • PerreauP., MorelP.C., BarreN. and DurandP., 1980. Existance de la cowdriose a Cowdria ruminantium chez les petits ruminants des Antilles Francaises (La Guadeloupe) et des Mascareignes (La Reunion et Ile Maurice). Revue Élev. Méd. vét. Pays trop., 33: 21–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • SemuS.M., MahanS.M., YunkerC.E. and BurridgeM.J., 1992. Development and persistence of Cowdria ruminantium specific antibodies following experimental infection of cattle, as detected by the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol., 33: 339–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • UilenbergG., 1983. Heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium infection): current status. Adv. Vet. Sci. Comp. Med., 27: 427–480.

    Google Scholar 

  • UilenbergG, BarreN., CamusE., BurridgeM.J. and GarrisG.I., 1984. Heartwater in the Caribbean. Prev. Vet. Med., 2: 255–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • YunkerC.E. and NorvalR.A.I., 1991. Heartwater disease of ruminants in Zimbabwe: current research and prospects for control. Modern Acarol., 1: 229–232.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Tick Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, P.O. Box 80.165, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    N. de Vries & F. Jongejan

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

    S. M. Mahan

  3. Veterinary Research Laboratory, Causeway, P.O. Box 8101, Harare, Zimbabwe

    U. Ushewokunze-Obatolu

  4. Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 32611-0633, Gainesville, FL, USA

    R. A. I. Norval

Authors
  1. N. de Vries
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. M. Mahan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. U. Ushewokunze-Obatolu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. A. I. Norval
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. F. Jongejan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

de Vries, N., Mahan, S.M., Ushewokunze-Obatolu, U. et al. Correlation between antibodies to Cowdria ruminantium (Rickettsiales) in cattle and the distribution of Amblyomma vector ticks in Zimbabwe. Exp Appl Acarol 17, 799–810 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225853

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225853

Keywords

Search

Navigation