Effects and duration of resistance acquired by rabbits on feeding and egg laying in Ixodes ricinus L.
Rabbits gradually developed a resistance against Ixodes ricinus ticks as a result of sequential experimental infestations. The resistance was characterized by an increase duration of feeding, by ticks engorging to a smaller extent and by reduced egg production. Once established, the immunity persisted for at least 9 months. Changes in the titre of circulating anti-I. ricinus antibodies was measured by indirect immunofluorescence.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007109:Immunity; D011817:Rabbits; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000276:immunology*; D013987:Ticks / Q000472:pathogenicity*