The Effects of the Tick Amblyomma Hebraeum (Acari: Ixodidae) on Blood Composition and Weight of Rabbits

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of adult Amblyomma hebraeum on the blood composition and weight of rabbits. Four groups of 10, 20, 25 and 35 female ticks/per rabbit were studied. There was a positive correlation between the number of ticks that engorged and the severity of anemia that developed. A positive correlation between the level of tick infestation and weight loss of the rabbits ( r = 0.9520) was also demonstrated. Slight changes in the various types of leucocytes were not significant. Rabbits that were injected with tick saliva and those from which blood was artificially removed showed no weight loss and only a very slight change in blood composition. This indicates that anemia induced by A. hebraeum and host weight loss result from the combination of 2 factors: blood loss and toxins introduced by the feeding ticks.