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Summary
Resistance to infestation by Hyalomma anatolicum and H. dromedarii adults was induced
in rabbits by repeated infestations. Sera from rabbits repeatedly infested with adults of H.
anatolicum and H. dromedarii were tested for the presence of anti-tick antibodies to tick–derived
crude soluble salivary gland antigens (CSSGAs) by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay
(ELISA). The ELISA demonstrated anti-tick antibody titres that increased with repeat
infestation of both tick species. The increase in antibody titres was highly negatively correlated
with female engorgement weights and highly positively correlated with infestation frequency of
both tick species.
Rabbits’ resistance, which interferes with tick feeding, was expressed in
reduction in tick engorgement weight, egg mass weight, hatchability percentage of eggs, and
prehatching period and prolongation of feeding period.
Cross–reactivity between crude soluble salivary gland antigens (CSSGAs) of H.
anatolicum and H. dromedarii was demonstrated by ELISA.
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