Amblyomma cajennense ticks induce immediate hypersensitivity in horses and donkeys.
Abstract: Since host immune reaction to ticks interferes with tick-borne pathogen transmission, it is important to recognize naturally occurring tick-host immune relationships to better understand the epidemiology of such infectious diseases. Amblyomma cajennense is an important tick-borne disease vector in the Neotropical region and horses maintain it in domestic environments. In the present work intradermal testing of A. cajennense tick exposed horses and donkeys using crude tick antigens was used to evaluate the type of hypersensitivity induced by infestations. Animals sensitized by A. cajennense infestation displayed an immediate hypersensitivity reaction at the antigen inoculation site. Foals sensitized with experimental infestations and field sensitized horses presented the most intense reactions (40% of ear thickness increase). Field sensitized donkeys presented less intense reaction reaching no more than 22% of mean thickness increase. Control horses (non-sensitized) had the least intense reaction, with a peak of no more than 12% of increase. The presence of a prominent immediate hypersensitivity in equids sensitized experimentally or by field infestations indicates that A. cajennense ticks induce in this host an immune response that is associated with IgE production and which is known to be inappropriate against intracellular pathogens. Differences observed between horses and donkeys are discussed.
Publication Date: 2004-08-03 PubMed ID: 15285143DOI: 10.1023/b:appa.0000030016.33747.99Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focuses on the significant immune response that occurs when A. cajennense ticks infest horses and donkeys, with hypersensitivity being particularly notable.
Overview
In this research paper, the scientists focused on the immune reactions of horses and donkeys after exposure to Amblyomma cajennense ticks. The ticks are known to carry diseases and examining the host’s immune response could shed light on how these diseases spread. The scientists discovered that horses and donkeys had an immediate hypersensitivity reaction to the ticks.
Hypersensitivity Induction
- The researchers used intradermal testing with crude tick antigens to evaluate the type of hypersensitivity induced by infestations.
- The animals that were sensitized by tick infestation showcased an immediate hypersensitivity reaction at the antigen injection site.
- Horses and foals that were sensitized either in a controlled environment or in the field showed the most intense reactions, with the ear thickness increasing by up to 40%. This change in ear thickness was used as an indicator of the intensity of the hypersensitivity reaction.
Comparison of Reactions
- In contrast, donkeys exhibited a less intense reaction, with an average ear thickness increase of 22%.
- As expected, the control group (non-sensitized horses) showed the least intense reaction with a maximum of a 12% increase in ear thickness, validating that the reactions were specifically due to the tick infestation and not other factors.
Conclusion of the Research
- The clear and immediate hypersensitivity in horses and donkeys implies that the tick induces an immune response in the host that’s correlated with an increase in IgE production.
- Such a response is generally regarded as inappropriate against intracellular pathogens, suggesting that this could potentially influence how diseases carried by the tick are transmitted and dealt with by the host’s immune system.
- Finally, the researchers discuss the observed differences between horses and donkeys in reaction to tick sensitization, exploring how these differences could possibly affect disease transmission and the overall tick-host relationship.
Cite This Article
APA
Szabó MP, Castagnolli KC, Santana DA, de Castro MB, Romano MA.
(2004).
Amblyomma cajennense ticks induce immediate hypersensitivity in horses and donkeys.
Exp Appl Acarol, 33(1-2), 109-117.
https://doi.org/10.1023/b:appa.0000030016.33747.99 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Universidade de Franca, Franca, SP, Brazil. szabo@asbyte.com.br
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ear / parasitology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate / immunology
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate / parasitology
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate / veterinary
- Ixodidae / immunology
- Male
- Skin Tests / veterinary
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Tick Infestations / immunology
- Tick Infestations / veterinary
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This article includes 14 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Ferreira LL, Sarria ALF, de Oliveira Filho JG, de Silva FO, Powers SJ, Caulfield JC, Pickett JA, Birkett MA, Borges LMF. Identification of a non-host semiochemical from tick-resistant donkeys (Equus asinus) against Amblyomma sculptum ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019 Apr;10(3):621-627.
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