Acarina (1997) 5, 91-98

A.K. Dobrotvorsky, M.P. Moshkin, V.V. Panov and V.V. Mak (1997)
Influence of the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus Schulze, 1930 (Acari: Ixodidae) on humoral immune responsiveness of red voles Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas, 1779 and field mice Apodemus agrarius Pallas 1771 (Rodentia: Cricetidae and Muridae) in natural populations
Acarina 5 (1-2), 91-98
Abstract: Based on the five-year population study of red voles Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas and field mice Apodemus agrarius Pallas in southern West Siberia, we analysed the distribution of immature stages of ticks Ixodes persulcatus on different demographic groups of the hosts, and seasonal changes of their incidence in the populations. We assessed primary humoral immune response of the voles and mice (splenic plaque-forming cells) to antigenic challenge (injection of sheep erythrocytes) in respect to occurrence of these parasites. Immune responses in immature and mature voles, which where parasitized by I. persulcatus at capture, were significantly higher as compared to non-infested hosts. For field mice similar effect of tick infestation was observed only in immature summer-born rodents. We discuss possible mechanisms of influence of ticks on variability of immune reactions in the populations.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ixodes persulcatus		Russia (E Asia)
	Apodemus agrarius		Russia (E Asia)