Tick paralysis: development of a vaccine

Int J Parasitol. 1999 Apr;29(4):535-41. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7519(99)00006-5.

Abstract

The paralysis tick of Australia, Ixodes holocyclus, causes a severe toxicosis in domestic animals such as dogs and cats, livestock, and in some cases, humans. It is characterised by a rapidly ascending flaccid paralysis. The causative agent of the toxicosis is a neurotoxin(s) produced in the tick salivary glands. The current treatment for tick paralysis is in the form of a polyclonal dog antiserum. This antiserum treatment is expensive and effective only in the early stages of paralysis. The aim of current research is to develop a recombinant veterinary vaccine based on the tick neurotoxin peptide sequence. A successful vaccine would provide cost-effective, long-term protective immunity against tick-induced paralysis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Antitoxins / pharmacology
  • Arthropod Venoms / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Arthropod Venoms / chemistry
  • Arthropod Venoms / genetics
  • Arthropod Venoms / immunology
  • Arthropod Venoms / toxicity*
  • Cats
  • Cattle
  • Dogs
  • Genes, Insect / genetics
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Ixodes*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Tick Infestations / parasitology
  • Tick Paralysis / parasitology
  • Tick Paralysis / prevention & control
  • Tick Paralysis / veterinary*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antitoxins
  • Arthropod Venoms
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • holocyclotoxin