Masina S, Broady K W
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Int J Parasitol. 1999 Apr;29(4):535-41. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7519(99)00006-5.
The paralysis tick of Australia, Ixodes holocyclus, causes a severe toxicosis in domestic animals such as dogs and cats, livestock, and in some cases, humans. It is characterised by a rapidly ascending flaccid paralysis. The causative agent of the toxicosis is a neurotoxin(s) produced in the tick salivary glands. The current treatment for tick paralysis is in the form of a polyclonal dog antiserum. This antiserum treatment is expensive and effective only in the early stages of paralysis. The aim of current research is to develop a recombinant veterinary vaccine based on the tick neurotoxin peptide sequence. A successful vaccine would provide cost-effective, long-term protective immunity against tick-induced paralysis.
澳大利亚的麻痹蜱（全环硬蜱）会在狗、猫、家畜等家养动物以及某些情况下在人类中引发严重的中毒症状。其特征为迅速上行的弛缓性麻痹。中毒的病原体是蜱唾液腺产生的一种神经毒素。目前针对蜱麻痹的治疗方法是使用多克隆犬抗血清。这种抗血清治疗费用高昂，且仅在麻痹早期有效。当前研究的目标是基于蜱神经毒素肽序列开发一种重组兽用疫苗。一种成功的疫苗将提供具有成本效益的长期保护性免疫，以抵御蜱引发的麻痹。
