2. Behavioral Biology TALKS - Deutsche Zoologische Gesellschaft

����189a Gustavo R. Makert
An immunization strategy to combat the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)
Authors: Gustavo R. Makert 1 , Stefan Chabierski 1 , Susanne Vorbrüggen 2 , Maria-
Elisabeth Krautwald-Junghans 2 , Sebastian Ulbert 1
Affiliation: 1 Frauenhofer Institut Leipzig; 2 Clinic for birds and reptiles, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig
The blood sucking ectoparasite Dermanyssus gallinae causes high economic losses in poultry
industry, and different strategies try to control the expansion of poultry red mite (PRM)
world wide. However, a solution to this problem still has highest priority. For that reason, we
started the development of a strategy to vaccinate chicken against poultry mites. The first
step for the development of this vaccine for Gallus gallus f. domesticus consisted in the
isolation of proteins from PRM. The complete PRM extract, but also individual proteins
identified and isolated through 2D-Gel analysis and protein fractionation through HPLC were
used for immunization of chickens. Sera and eggs were collected before each immunization
and boosts, but also 4 weeks after second boost. Analysis through ELISA and Western blots
showed a high specific antibody production against PRM extracts. IgY extracted from eggs
after immunization were mixed with fresh chicken blood and applied to an in vitro feeding
assay. Through this in vitro feeding assay it was possible to recognize IgY fractions
responsible for higher PRM mortality after feeding. The first results show the high potential
of this strategy for the development of a vaccine against the poultry mite Dermanyssus
gallinae. Key words: chicken, ectoparasite, immunity, poultry red mite, vaccine development
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