Is the detection of anti-Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Rs24p) antibodies a valuable epidemiological tool of tick infestation in dogs?

Vet Res. 2000 May-Jun;31(3):365-9. doi: 10.1051/vetres:2000126.

Abstract

Antibodies against the 24 kDa Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Rs24p) protein were detected by ELISA to evaluate the relationship between antibodies and tick infestation. The mean titer of 3 dogs that underwent 2 experimental infestations with adult ticks was transiently increased after the second infestation. There was a significant difference in mean titers between positive control dogs naturally infested with ticks and tick-naive dogs. These results suggested that anti-Rs24p antibodies detected by ELISA are a marker of tick exposure. There was no significant difference in mean titers between tick-naive dogs and seropositive dogs to Ehrlichia canis. Some dogs positive for E. canis antibodies showed, however, higher titers than most tick-naive dogs. R. sanguineus may be related to the E. canis infection in Japan.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / analysis*
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Dogs
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary*
  • Ticks / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies