IMMUNIZATION OF DOGS AND GUINEA-PIGS AGAINST RHIPICEPHALUS-SANGUINEUSTICKS USING GUT EXTRACT

Tick-bite naive guinea pigs were inoculated three times with Rhipiceph alus sanguineus gut or salivary gland extracts and saponin as adjuvant . Dogs were inoculated three times with gut extract only as this fract ion induced a more efficient resistance in guinea pigs (lower tick rec overy and lower engorged female weights). Freund's adjuvant and saponi n were used as adjuvants for the immunisation of dogs. Freund's adjuva nt was used to enhance cellular immunity. The highest level of resista nce in dogs was induced by the immunisation with gut extract and Freun d's adjuvant. Many female ticks from dogs immunised this way engorged fully but died prior to oviposition. Resistant guinea pigs and dogs se emed to trigger different immune mechanisms against R. sanguineus tick s as damage to parasites also differed. A major role for cellular immu nity in the resistance of dogs against R. sanguineus ticks is suggeste d. Resistance mechanisms against R. sanguineus ticks is discussed.