title: Effect of anti-thymocyte serum on acquisition of resistance to infestation by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus larvae in rabbits.
abstract: Administration of specific goat anti-thymocyte serum (ATS) to rabbits, prior to a primary infestation by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus larvae, blocked the acquisition of resistance significantly only in the third infestation. The larvae which fed on these rabbits had higher engorgement masses than did those feeding on untreated control rabbits. Also, a higher percentage (92%) of larval ticks fed on these animals than on the controls (88%). ATS also induced a leucopenia due to a lymphopenia in the treated rabbits. It was concluded that a T-cell-dependent component might be involved in acquired resistance to infestation by R. appendiculatus.
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Binta
authors.forename: E Z
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Mushi
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Rurangirwa
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007110:Immunity, Active / Q000276:immunology; D007814:Larva / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D011817:Rabbits / Q000469:parasitology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D013987:Ticks / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum