Differential salivary gland transcript expression profile in Ixodes scapularis nymphs upon feeding or flavivirus infection.

ABSTRACT: Ixodid ticks are vectors of human diseases such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and tick-borne encephalitis. These diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide and are transmitted to humans during tick feeding. The tick-host-pathogen interface is a complex environment where host responses are modulated by the molecules in tick saliva to enable the acquisition of a blood meal. Disruption of host responses at the site of the tick bite may also provide an advantage for pathogens to survive and replicate. Thus, the molecules in tick saliva not only aid the tick in securing a nutrient-rich blood meal, but can also enhance the transmission and acquisition of pathogens. To investigate the effect of feeding and flavivirus infection on the salivary gland transcript expres

SUBMITTER: McNally KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3275779 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature