Infestation with pathogen-free nymphs of the tick Ixodes scapularis induces host resistance to transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi by ticks
SK Wikel, RN Ramachandra, DK Bergman… - Infection and …, 1997 - Am Soc Microbiol
SK Wikel, RN Ramachandra, DK Bergman, TR Burkot, J Piesman
Infection and immunity, 1997•Am Soc MicrobiolFemale BALB/c mice were infested four times with pathogen-free Ixodes scapularis nymphs
prior to infestation with nymphs infected with Borrelia burgdorferi B31. Each infestation was
separated by a 14-day tick-free period. Mean weights of fed ticks and percentage reaching
repletion did not indicate development of acquired resistance. Only 16.7% of mice
repeatedly infested with pathogen-free ticks prior to infected I. scapularis nymph challenge
became positive for B. burgdorferi. One hundred percent of control mice infested only with …
prior to infestation with nymphs infected with Borrelia burgdorferi B31. Each infestation was
separated by a 14-day tick-free period. Mean weights of fed ticks and percentage reaching
repletion did not indicate development of acquired resistance. Only 16.7% of mice
repeatedly infested with pathogen-free ticks prior to infected I. scapularis nymph challenge
became positive for B. burgdorferi. One hundred percent of control mice infested only with …
Female BALB/c mice were infested four times with pathogen-free Ixodes scapularis nymphs prior to infestation with nymphs infected with Borrelia burgdorferi B31. Each infestation was separated by a 14-day tick-free period. Mean weights of fed ticks and percentage reaching repletion did not indicate development of acquired resistance. Only 16.7% of mice repeatedly infested with pathogen-free ticks prior to infected I. scapularis nymph challenge became positive for B. burgdorferi. One hundred percent of control mice infested only with infected ticks were culture positive for B. burgdorferi.
American Society for Microbiology