Lack of immunological cross-reactivity of 36-kDa secretory salivary gland antigen of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum with Hyalomma dromedarii and Boophilus microplus ticks.

During feeding of ticks of the species Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, most of the proteins in salivary gland extracts (SGEs) remained unchanged from the unfed to the fully fed state (from day 1 to day 7 of the experiment), as revealed by SDS-PAGE. However, a 45-kDa protein band disappeared and 26-, 32- and 33-kDa bands appeared when feeding commenced. Some of the protein bands changed their intensity. When probed with anti-H. anatolicum anatolicum hyperimmune sera, transblotted SGE proteins of unfed H. anatolicum anatolicum and Hyalomma dromedarii revealed two common bands of 105 and 80 kDa. A 36-kDa protein band present in H. anatolicum anatolicum SGE could not be detected in H. dromedarii. None of these proteins were detected in partly fed Boophilus microplus when probed with anti-H. anatolicum anatolicum hyperimmune serum. This H. anatolicum anatolicum specific 36-kDa protein was strongly recognized throughout feeding, and thus may be an immunogen of importance for the development of an H. anatolicum anatolicum specific serodiagnostic assay.