The effects of non-specifically activated immunity in rabbits on primary infestation with Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi

The secondary antibody response to sheep red blood cells and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was measured in rabbits infested with adult Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi. The response was reduced (particularly for BSA) but still displayed anamnestic characteristics. Resistance against ixodid ticks associated with antibodies detected by gel diffusion and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay techniques early in the primary challenge was acquired by the immunized hosts only. This suggests that a non-specifically activated immune system enables hosts to develop rapid resistance against tick parasitism.