Dual action ectoparasite vaccine targeting ‘exposed’ and ‘concealed’ antigens

• Published in: Vaccine Vol. 20; no. 29; pp. 3560 - 3568
• Main Authors: Trimnell, Adama R, Hails, Rosie S, Nuttall, Patricia A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 04-10-2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Antigens - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Concealed antigens; Cross Reactions; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Guinea Pigs; Health. Pharmaceutical industry; Immunization; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Insect Proteins - immunology; Ixodidae; Molecular Sequence Data; Production of active biomolecules; Rhipicephalus appendiculatus; Secreted antigen; Tick Infestations - prevention & control; Tick vaccine; Ticks - immunology; Vaccines - immunology; Vaccins; Concealed antigens; Secreted antigen; Rhipicephalus appendiculatus; Tick vaccine; Antigen; Blood feeding; Pest management; Midgut; Animal; Treatment efficiency; Vaccination; Vaccine; Ectoparasite; Saliva
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/S0264-410X(02)00334-1

Blood-feeding ectoparasites, such as mosquitoes, sandflies and ticks, transmit many disease agents. Their control relies on large-scale, repeated use of chemical pesticides. An alternative, targeted and environmentally friendly approach is to develop anti-ectoparasite vaccines. We describe a vaccine to control ticks that targets an ‘exposed’ tick saliva antigen and cross-reacts with ‘concealed’ tick midgut antigens. Ticks feeding on immunised animals induced a cutaneous inflammatory response and increased antibody titer, while engorged ticks died following damage to their midgut. This dual action, acting at the feeding site and in the midgut, offers a self-sustaining strategy for ectoparasite control boosted by natural infestations.