Location: Animal Disease Research
Project Number: 2090-32000-040-011-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jul 16, 2019
End Date: Sep 30, 2022
Objective:
1) To immunize horses with BM86 protein and determine antibody reactivity against native tick proteins and 2) to test the efficacy of anti-BM86 antibodies in controlling tick infestation.
Approach:
Alternative methods to control tick infestation on horses are urgently needed. We propose to test if anti-BM86 can control tick infestation on horses immunized with BM86 vaccine from cooperator. To test this hypothesis, two groups of 5 horses will be used. Group 1 will be immunized with BM86 provided by cooperator and group 2 will be a control group. After determining antibody titer, Rhipicephalus ticks will be applied under a cloth patch and the infestation will be observed weekly. Engorged female ticks will be collected and oviposition, hatchability and viability of larvae will be compared between the two groups.
