Sarcoptes scabiei: Specific immune response to sarcoptic mange in the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica depends on previous exposure and sex

• Published in: Experimental parasitology Vol. 124; no. 3; pp. 265 - 271
• Main Authors: Sarasa, Mathieu, Rambozzi, Luisa, Rossi, Luca, Meneguz, Pier G., Serrano, Emmanuel, Granados, José-Enrique, González, Francisco J., Fandos, Paulino, Soriguer, Ramón C., Gonzalez, Georges, Joachim, Jean, Pérez, Jesús M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.03.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Wild; antibody formation; Biological and medical sciences; biosynthesis; blood; Capra; Capra pyrenaica; Capra pyrenaica hispanica; Data processing; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - veterinary; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gender differences; Goat Diseases; Goat Diseases - immunology; Goat Diseases - parasitology; Goats; Goats - parasitology; Host-Parasite Interactions; Host-Parasite Interactions - immunology; host-parasite relationships; immune response; Immunity; immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin G - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin G - blood; immunology; Inter-individual variability; Life cycle. Host-agent relationship. Pathogenesis; Male; Mammalia; mites; parasitism; parasitology; Protozoa; Recurrence; Sarcoptes scabiei; Sarcoptes scabiei - immunology; scabies; Scabies - immunology; Scabies - veterinary; Sex Factors; Skin; Skin - parasitology; Time Factors; Ungulate; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; veterinary; Ungulate; Sarcoptes scabiei; Capra pyrenaica; Immunity; Inter-individual variability; Capra ibex; Immune response; Sex; Acaridida; Parasite; Organism defense; Acariformes; Arachnida; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Acari; Arthropoda; Artiodactyla; Invertebrata; Sarcoptidae; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0014-4894; 1090-2449; 1090-2449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.10.008

Host acquired immunity is a critical factor that conditions the survival of parasites. Nevertheless, there is a shortage of data concerning inter-individual immunological inequalities in wild mammals. Sarcoptic mange is a widespread parasitosis that severely affects mammals such as the Iberian ibex ( Capra pyrenaica). Despite some work on the subject, the immune response to sarcoptic mange infestation is still a complex and poorly understood phenomenon. To improve knowledge of the host– Sarcoptes immunological interaction, 18 Iberian ibexes were experimentally infested. IgG levels were assessed using ELISA to test for potential factors determining the specific immune response to infestation. Previous exposure and sex appeared to affect the IgG response to infestation and our results suggest a sex-biased immunomodulation. We discuss the immunological pattern of host– Sarcoptes interactions and also suggest further lines of work that may improve the understanding of immunological interactions of host– Sarcoptes systems.