IMMUNIZATION OF RABBITS WITH FECAL EXTRACT OF PEDICULUS-HUMANUS, THE HUMAN-BODY LOUSE - EFFECTS ON LOUSE DEVELOPMENT AND REPRODUCTION

Immunization of rabbits with a faecal extract of the human body louse (Pediculus humanus) induced a high titre of specific IgG. The mean wei ght of blood taken by females fed on the immunized rabbits was signifi cantly lower (29%) than taken by females fed on the control rabbits. T he mean number of eggs per female fed on the immunized rabbits was sig nificantly lower than for females fed on the control rabbits. The hatc hability of the eggs laid by Lice fed on immunized rabbits (91%) was s ignificantly lower than of those fed on control rabbits (94%). The rat e of development of nymphs fed on control rabbits was significantly hi gher than those fed an the immunized rabbits. There was no difference in survival rates of lice fed on immunized and control rabbits.