Heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium infection) on São Tomé

The supernatant obtained after centrifugation of an emulsion of engorged female Amblyomma astrion ticks, collected from cattle on the West African island of São Tomé, was injected intravenously into a goat, which contracted heartwater. This confirmation of the existence of the disease on the island makes strict control measures necessary if present efforts at improving livestock production by imported exotic cattle are to be successful.