Significant changes in epidermal Langerhans cells of guinea-pigs infested with ticks (Dermacentor andersoni)

Abstract

Resistance to tick feeding has previously been shown to be an acquired, immunologically mediated phenomenon in guinea-pigs, associated with cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity to tick antigens. In this study, Langerhans cells (LC) in the epidermis of guinea-pigs were monitored during tick infestations of susceptible and resistant animals. A specific adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) staining technique was used to identify epidermal LC. The numbers of LC decreased significantly around the sites of tick attachment during primary infestations. Early in the secondary infestations, increases in numbers of LC were observed in the epidermis surrounding tick mouth-parts. These changes in LC populations resemble those previously described in contact dermatitis reactions of guinea-pigs.