Salivary gland extract (SGE) from Ixodes ricinus ticks inhibited the killing of Borrelia afzelii spirochetes by murine macrophages. SGE also reduced the production of two major defense molecules of phagocytes, superoxide and nitric oxide. It is likely that the suppression of macrophage microbicidal mechanisms contributes to the inhibitory effect of tick saliva on the killing of B. afzelii spirochetes, thus facilitating the transmission of this important pathogen.

Institute of Parasitology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Czech Republic

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Co-inoculation of Borrelia afzelii with tick salivary gland extract influences distribution of immunocompetent cells in the skin and lymph nodes of mice