Van de Pypekamp H E, Prozesky L
State Veterinarian, Rustenburg, RSA.
Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1987 Sep;54(3):263-6.
Heartwater is a frequently fatal tick-borne disease of ruminants caused by Cowdria ruminantium. In domestic ruminants the incubation period varies considerably and depends on the route of infection, virulence of the isolate and amount of infective material administered. Adult cattle of all breeds appear to be equally susceptible to heartwater. It is generally accepted that calves up to the age of 3 weeks have a high degree of natural resistance which is not related to the immune status of the dam. Nervous symptoms are frequently seen in animals affected by the peracute and acute forms of heartwater and can easily be confused with similar signs caused by infectious conditions, toxic plants, acaricide and heavy metal poisonings.
心水病是由反刍动物考德里氏体引起的一种常见的、可致命的蜱传反刍动物疾病。在家养反刍动物中，潜伏期差异很大，取决于感染途径、分离株的毒力以及接种的感染性物质数量。所有品种的成年牛似乎对心水病同样易感。一般认为，3周龄以下的犊牛具有高度的天然抵抗力，这与母牛的免疫状态无关。在患有超急性和急性心水病的动物中经常出现神经症状，很容易与由传染性疾病、有毒植物、杀螨剂和重金属中毒引起的类似症状相混淆。
