title: Study of the non-parasitic stage in Ixodes ricinus after co-feeding with Dermacentor reticulatus in three infestations.
abstract: It was proved that transmission of some pathogens may occur between infected and uninfected ticks co-feeding on a host in the absence of systemic infection. The effect was studied of co-feeding of two different tick species Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus on the course of the non-parasitic stage. Species chosen for the experiment may share their habitats and co-infest animals in nature. In the course of the study the process of egg maturation, oviposition and larval hatching were investigated. In order to estimate if co-feeding influence can counteract host immunity, three subsequent infestations of rabbits were analyzed. Mono-specific groups values of such a parameters as egg amount, number of eggs per 1 mg of female engorgement weight, female oviposition weight loss, hatching success were higher in inter-specific groups were compared. The results indicate that co-feeding with other tick species may partially reduce the influence of host resistance in subsequent infestation.
authors.affiliation: Cgair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bartosik
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buczek
authors.affiliation: Non-Public Health Care Center Med-Laser, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borzęcki
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Nursing and Medical Teaching, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kulina
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003870:Dermacentor / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D018884:Ixodes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D010058:Oviposition; D011817:Rabbits; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000469:parasitology*