[Immune response of rabbit to repeated infestations by Ornithodoros moubata Murray females: its influence on the biology of tick (author's transl)]

Abstract

Antibodies against salivary gland tissues of the argasid tick, Ornithodoros moubata, were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in rabbits repeatedly fed on by ticks. This immune response appears to have little adverse affects on the biology of the tick; blood intake was found to be sometimes smaller and the feeding period somewhat longer. Attachment to the host and oviposition were not adversely affected. There exists a linear relationship between a) the weight of unfed and engorged females, and b) the weight of engorged females and the number of deposited eggs.