Abstract
This study evaluated a recombinant aquaporin 1 protein of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (RmAQP1) as antigen in a vaccine against R. sanguineus. Five dogs were immunized with RmAQP1 (10 µg) + adjuvant (Montanide) (G1), and five were inoculated with adjuvant only (G2), three times. Twenty-one days after the last immunization, animals of both groups were challenged with R. sanguineus larvae, nymphs and adults, and their biotic potential was compared. Blood samples were collected before each immunization and every 28 days after the last immunization for 10 weeks. Serum antibody titers (IgG) were assessed by ELISA. We observed that: engorgement period of adult females from G1 was 12% shorter than G2; larvae from G1 had 8.7% longer engorgement period than G2 and weighed 7.2% less; nymphs from G1 had 4.5% shorter engorgement period than G2 and weighed 3.6% less; although the antibody titers increased following the second immunization, they rapidly decreased after the third immunization. Results indicated low immunoprotection of RmAQP1 against adult R. sanguineus ticks, and possible efficacy on larvae and nymphs fed on immunized dogs. Further studies should be performed for a full evaluation of the immunoprotection of RmAQP1 against R. sanguineus infestations in dogs.
Highlights
Ticks are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites from the phylum Arthropoda, class Arachnida, subclass Acari and order Ixodida (KRANTZ & WALTER, 2009)
We observed that: engorgement period of adult females from G1 was 12% shorter than G2; larvae from G1 had 8.7% longer engorgement period than G2 and weighed 7.2% less; nymphs from G1 had 4.5% shorter engorgement period than G2 and weighed 3.6% less; the antibody titers increased following the second immunization, they rapidly decreased after the third immunization
The genus Rhipicephalus belongs to the Ixodidae family and includes about 84 tick species, almost all originating from the Afrotropical region, among which are included the brown dog tick, R. sanguineus, and the cattle tick, R. (B.) microplus (APANASKEVICH et al, 2013; GUGLIELMONE et al, 2010; HORAK et al, 2013)
Summary
Ticks are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites from the phylum Arthropoda, class Arachnida, subclass Acari and order Ixodida (KRANTZ & WALTER, 2009). The genus Rhipicephalus belongs to the Ixodidae family and includes about 84 tick species, almost all originating from the Afrotropical region, among which are included the brown dog tick, R. sanguineus, and the cattle tick, R. Because the ticks’ aquaporins are fundamental in their physiology, they seem to be good candidates for antigens in a vaccine against ticks (GUERRERO et al, 2014). Considering that the brown dog tick and the cattle tick belong to the same genus (Rhipicephalus) as shown by molecular phylogeny studies (BEATI & KEIRANS, 2001; MURRELL & BARKER, 2003; BARROS-BATTESTI et al, 2006), the present study investigated the immunogenic potential of the recombinant aquaporin protein of R. Considering that the brown dog tick and the cattle tick belong to the same genus (Rhipicephalus) as shown by molecular phylogeny studies (BEATI & KEIRANS, 2001; MURRELL & BARKER, 2003; BARROS-BATTESTI et al, 2006), the present study investigated the immunogenic potential of the recombinant aquaporin protein of R. (B.) microplus, RmAQP1, against different instars of R. sanguineus (aquaporin sequences unkown until now) infesting domestic dogs
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