Immunosuppression and feeding success of Ixodes ricinus nymphs on BALB/c mice
Language English Country England, Great Britain Media print
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- MeSH
- Immune Tolerance MeSH
- Tick Infestations immunology pathology MeSH
- Host-Parasite Interactions MeSH
- Ticks immunology physiology MeSH
- Skin parasitology pathology MeSH
- Lymphocytes immunology MeSH
- Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Nymph MeSH
- Recurrence MeSH
- Spleen cytology immunology MeSH
- Feeding Behavior MeSH
- Antibody Formation MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
The effect of repeated infestations of Ixodes ricinus (L.) nymphs on BALB/c mice was studied. Four successive infectations resulted in an increase of tick feeding success. Tick yield and mean engorged weight increased and the length of the feeding period was reduced significantly (P < 0.05-0.01). The increase of specific anti-tick antibodies was not significant (P > 0.05). The blastogenic response of spleen lymphocytes to T-cell mitogens (Con A and PHA-P) was unimpaired or slightly enhanced, whereas the response to B-cell activators (LPS and PWM) was suppressed, as was the total antibody generation in vitro. The numbers of mast cells in murine skin at the tick attachment sites slightly decreased during the third infestation. The suppression of B-cell competence and of antibody generation, together with decrease of skin mast cell numbers in tick attachment sits, are considered to be responsible for enhancement of tick feeding success.
References provided by Crossref.org
The Central Role of Salivary Metalloproteases in Host Acquired Resistance to Tick Feeding