Immunization of rabbits with antigens from Psoroptes cuniculi, the rabbit scab mite.

Rabbits immunized with the whole body extract of Psoroptes cuniculi (Delafond, 1859) developed partial immunity to the infestation with this mite. These rabbits manifested P. cuniculi antigen-induced cell response and a high level of specific serum antibody after the immunization. Electrophoretic separation of the mite extract followed by immunostaining with various sera revealed differences between artificially immunized and naturally infested rabbits to most of the P. cuniculi antigens. However, the specific antibody pattern, that was developed by the immunized rabbits, was not changed after these rabbits were infested with the mites.