title: Dual action ectoparasite vaccine targeting 'exposed' and 'concealed' antigens.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: CEH Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology, Mansfield Road, OX1 3SR, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Adama R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Trimnell
authors.forename: Rosie S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hails
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Nuttall
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007114:Immunization; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013987:Ticks / Q000276:immunology*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D019476:Insect Proteins; D014612:Vaccines