The identification of a shared immunogen present in the salivary glands and gut of ixodid and argasid ticks.

The identification of a 70-kDa immunogen present in salivary gland extracts of several ixodid species, namely Hyalomma truncatum (sweating-sickness-inducing (SS+) and non-inducing (SS-) strains), Hyalomma marginatum rufipes and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, is reported. The immunogen was identified by Western blots using a monoclonal antibody of the IgM isotype directed against a 70-kDa immunogen present in the salivary glands of (SS-) female H. truncatum ticks. Cross-reactivity with the gut of unfed adult ixodid ticks, Amblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus simus simus, R. evertsi evertsi, Rhipicentor nuttali, H.m. rufipes, and salivary glands of adult argasid species, Ornithodoros savignyi and Ornithodoros moubata, was demonstrated using ELISA.