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The Role Of Chemical Attractants In The Use Of Tick Traps For Life Stages Of Tick Species Ixodes Scapularis, Dermacentor Variabilis And Amblyomma Maculatum, Pamela C. Kelman
The Role Of Chemical Attractants In The Use Of Tick Traps For Life Stages Of Tick Species Ixodes Scapularis, Dermacentor Variabilis And Amblyomma Maculatum, Pamela C. Kelman
Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations
Amblyomma maculatum, Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis are three of the hard-bodied ticks found in the United States. This study explored three aspects of the appetence process of these tick species: attraction, desiccation survival, and locomotive activity. The first portion of this work was to improve one of the standard methods used for collecting ticks from the environment, the tick trap. To determine the attractants needed to capture all life stages of the three chosen species of ticks in the field using tick traps, a series of experiments were conducted using laboratory-reared larval, nymphal and adult A. maculatum, I. scapularis …
Antimicrobial Activity Screening Of Recombinant And Synthetic Varasin A Defensin From The Hard Tick Dermacentor Variabilis Against Various Bacteria, Julia A. Sharp
Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations
Hematophagous arthropods, such as ticks and mosquitoes, rely on their innate immune system for defense against pathogens ingested in a blood meal as well as those acquired through injury. In response to pathogen recognition, the production of antimicrobial peptides, such as defensin, is typically upregulated. Varisin, a defensin, is thought to be a key component in the immunocompetence of the hard tick D. variabilis against Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. To study the antimicrobial effects of varisin, recombinant varisin was expressed by both insect cells and E coli. Purification of the protein followed by enterokinase treatment yielded …
The Defensin Gene In Dermacentor Variabilis And Ixodes Scapularis, Katherine Corbett Seguin
The Defensin Gene In Dermacentor Variabilis And Ixodes Scapularis, Katherine Corbett Seguin
Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations
In response to microbial challenge, invertebrates rely on their innate immune response to recognize and destroy harmful pathogens. One of the primary proteins produced by the response and that has been observed in many invertebrates, including insects, mussels, and ticks, is defensin. These proteins are responsible for forming pores in the membranes of invading microbes thereby destroying them. This study examined the gene coding region for defensin in two important tick disease vectors, Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis. PCR amplification of the genes from tick chromosomal DNA resulted in the amplification of a 225 base pair amplicon. Sequencing of …
Investigations Into The Innate Resistance Of The Tick, Dermacentor Variabilis, When Challenged With The Bacterium, Escherichia Coli, Shane Michael Ceraul
Investigations Into The Innate Resistance Of The Tick, Dermacentor Variabilis, When Challenged With The Bacterium, Escherichia Coli, Shane Michael Ceraul
Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations
In addition to the 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. This study was done to determine how ticks control infection by E. coli. Ticks were challenged by direct inoculation of bacteria into the hemocoel cavity. Using plate counts, no viable E. coli were detected I hour post-inoculation. A direct fluorescence assay (DF A) …
Comparison Of The Protein Content In Selected Tissues At Different Feeding Stages In The American Dog Tick Dermacentor Variabilis (Say), Mark John Beveridge
Comparison Of The Protein Content In Selected Tissues At Different Feeding Stages In The American Dog Tick Dermacentor Variabilis (Say), Mark John Beveridge
Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations
Selected tissues from Dermacentor yariabilis (Say) were collected at different feeding stages (unfed, part-fed, and replete) and examined by several different protein analyses to determine soluble protein content, protein or polypeptide molecular weights, and pI values. Results showed a relationship between the salivary gland, ovary and hemolymph and evidence indicates the synganglion produces and secretes substances that may control oocyte development.