Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2002

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585-39.2.376

Publication Title

Journal of Medical Entomology

Volume

39

Issue

2

Pages

376-383

Abstract

In addition to a soluble response, many invertebrates control bacterial infections by means of phagocytosis or melanotic encapsulation. In some insects, Escherichia coli growth is reported to be inhibited by aggregation/encapsulation. Soluble and phagocytic responses to bacterial challenge have been reported in ticks, but evidence of an aggregation/encapsulation response was reported only for inanimate (araldite) implants. Ticks were challenged by direct inoculation of bacteria into the hemocoel cavity. By plating, no viable E. coli were detected 6 h postinoculation. A direct fluorescence assay (DFA) revealed aggregated bacteria 1 h postinoculation. Furthermore, DFA showed aggregated bacteria at 6, 24, and 48 h postinoculation associated with masses of tissue, presumably of cellular origin, suggesting events similar to those described as nodulation. These findings suggest that encapsulation/nodulation may be an important component of the immune response in ticks.

Comments

NOTE: This is the author’s pre-print version of a work that was published in Journal of Medical Entomology. The final version was published as:

Ceraul, S.M., Sonenshine, D.E., & Hynes, W.L. (2002). Resistance of the tick Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) following challenge with the bacterium Escherichia coli (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 39(2), 376-383. doi: 10.1603/0022-2585-39.2.376

Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585-39.2.376

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