STUDIES ON FEEDING OF ARGAS (PERSICARGAS) MINIATUS LARVAE (ACARI, ARGASIDAE) ON NAIVE CHICKS

The histology of skin responses to infestation with Argas (Persicargas ) miniatus Koch, 1844, larvae was investigated on previously unexposed 1-mo-old chicks. An amorphous, acidophilic substance, referred to as cement, was observed from 24 h after infestation until the ticks had d etached. The morphology of the lesions changed gradually during the ti me of infestation. Initially, dissociation of collagen fibers and a mi ld infiltration with heterophil and mononuclear cells (12-24 h) was ob served. Then, fibroblastic cords, mononuclear cell focuses, erythrocyt es, and some heterophils (48-72 h) could be observed. Finally, predomi nance of fibroblast proliferation was noted.