Author
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Pruett Jr, John |
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Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 2/17/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The sheep scab mite, Psoroptes ovis, is the causative agent of bovine and sheep scabies, an economically important pest management problem of global concern. The avermectins have proven to be very effective for the control of the sheep scab mite, but concerns over developing mite resistance to the pesticide and pesticide residues in meat provide the need for novel, environmentally safe methods of mite control. Recent studies of the host response to the mite have suggested that the mite may be controlled through host immunological resistance acquired and enhanced by vaccination. It would be impossible to rear mites for the production of a natural protein vaccine. Therefore, a feasible vaccine would require the use of recombinant DNA techniques for the production of vaccine protein. Knowledge of P. ovis proteins is quite limited. This study reports on the identification and purification of a 16 kDa protein that is allergenic in cattle and shares sequence homology with two known dust mite allergens. The 16 kDa protein represents a good candidate vaccine antigen for future study and cloning. Technical Abstract: Psoroptes ovis, the sheep scab mite, is the causative agent of an allergic dermatitis of sheep and cattle. Recent studies of the host immune response to this ectoparasite have provided information that suggests that control may be achieved by immune intervention. A significant effector in protection of the host from clinical lesions is host behavioral grooming. Host grooming is believed to be intensified by a pruritic immediate hypersensitivity response to mite allergens. Knowledge of potential P. ovis allergens is limited. This study reports on the identification and SDS-PAGE continuous elution purification of a 16 kDa polypeptide that elicits immediate type hypersensitivity in calves and has sequence homology with known group 2 dust mite allergens Lep d I of Lepidoglyphus destructor, and Der f II of Dermatophagoides farinae. This P. ovis allergen appears to be a good vaccine candidate for further study and cloning. |
