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Veterinary parasitology2003; 117(4); 271-283; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2003.09.004

Acquired resistance of horses to Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) ticks.

Abstract: Acquired immunity of horses to larvae, nymphs and adults of the Amblyomma cajennense tick was evaluated through three consecutive experimental infestations of tick-bite naïve hosts. Data from these infestations were compared to those from field-sensitized horses and donkeys. It was observed that tick-bite naïve horses developed a low level of resistance after two infestations as shown by a significant decrease in larval yield and a tendency for lower engorged weight of nymphs during third infestation. Ticks fed on field-sensitized horses had a similar biological performance to that observed on the third infestation of tick-bite naïve horses but the mean engorged nymph weight was significantly lower than that of the first infestation from tick-bite naïve horses. Donkeys presented the strongest resistance with significantly lower engorged weights of all instars and of the egg mass compared to the first infestation of tick-bite naïve horses. Donkeys also displayed a significantly higher resistance than field-sensitized horses as demonstrated by significantly lower egg mass weights. Overall these results indicate that donkeys but not horses maintain a strong resistance to A. cajennense ticks. The importance of these findings in relation to vectoring of tick-borne diseases is discussed.
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Publication Date: 2003-11-26 PubMed ID: 14637029DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2003.09.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research studied resistance levels in horses and donkeys to the Amblyomma cajennense tick, through multiple infestations. It revealed that horses developed mild resistance after a couple of exposures, while donkeys showed considerably stronger resistance.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted three consecutive experimental infestations of Amblyomma cajennense ticks on horses that had not been exposed to the ticks before.
  • Data gathered from these infestations were compared with that from previously exposed (field-sensitized) horses and donkeys.

Findings

  • Tick-bite naïve horses developed a minimal level of resistance after two infestations. This was indicated by a notable decrease in the larval output and a trend towards less fully fed nymph weight during the third infestation.
  • Ticks feeding on field-sensitized horses mirrored biological performance seen in the third infestation on tick-bite naïve horses, but their average engorged nymph weight was substantially less than that of the first infestation from tick-bite naïve horses.

Observations on Donkeys

  • Donkeys displayed the strongest resistance to the ticks, with significantly lower engorged weights of all life stages of the tick and of the egg mass compared to the first infestation of tick-bite naïve horses.
  • The resistance of donkeys was also markedly higher than that of field-sensitized horses, as highlighted by significantly lower egg mass weights.

Conclusions

  • The results suggest that donkeys, unlike horses, maintain a potent resistance to Amblyomma cajennense ticks.
  • The implications these findings can have on vectoring of tick-borne diseases were also deliberated upon.

Overall, this study showcases the inherent differences in resistance to tick infestations between horses and donkeys. While horses can develop a measure of resistance over time, donkeys appear to display more natural, significant resistance to such infestations. Understanding such resistance can have impacts on managing tick-borne diseases that are vectored by these ticks.

Cite This Article

APA
Castagnolli KC, de Figueiredo LB, Santana DA, de Castro MB, Romano MA, Szabó MP. (2003). Acquired resistance of horses to Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) ticks. Vet Parasitol, 117(4), 271-283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2003.09.004

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 117
Issue: 4
Pages: 271-283

Researcher Affiliations

Castagnolli, Karina C
  • Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
de Figueiredo, Luciano B
    Santana, Danilo A
      de Castro, Márcio B
        Romano, Marco A
          Szabó, Matias P J

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Equidae / immunology
            • Equidae / parasitology
            • Horse Diseases / immunology
            • Horse Diseases / parasitology
            • Horses
            • Host-Parasite Interactions
            • Immunity, Innate
            • Ixodidae / immunology
            • Nymph / growth & development
            • Nymph / physiology
            • Tick Infestations / immunology
            • Tick Infestations / parasitology
            • Tick Infestations / veterinary

            Citations

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