Immunization of laboratory hosts against Amblyomma, hebraeum and Amblyomma marmoreum (Acari : Ixodidae)

Abstract

Homogenates prepared from unfed nymphs of Amblyomma hebraeum and Amblyomma marmoreum were used for inoculating rabbits. The recipient hosts developed resistance to homospecific infestations. The level of gamma globulins and the number of eosinophils increased significantly in the inoculated animals. The feeding periods of nymphs of both species were affected and the mean weight of nymphs fed on inoculated animals was significantly lower than that of nymps fed on adjuvant injected rabbits or naive rabbits. The results demonstrated that inoculated rabbits acquired protective immunity against nymphs of both species. The possibility of using homogenates for immunization of cattle is discussed.