Studies in Insect Bite Desensitization

Abstract
Summary Rat fleas, Nosopsyllus fasciatus, dog fleas, Ctenocephalides canis, and human fleas, Pulex irritans have all been reared on small laboratory animals. A polyvalent flea antigen prepared from whole fleas of the species, Pulex irritans and Ctenocephalides canis was used with encouraging results in the treatment of individuals sensitive to flea bites. No circulating antibodies or precipitins (2) were demonstrated in the blood of individuals treated with flea-antigen. Although it is possible for an animal under laboratory conditions to become “immune” to flea bites after continued exposure, as demonstrated by the squirrel, Citelus douglasii, we have been unable to reproduce this state in other laboratory animals.

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