Presence of Host Immunoglobulin in the Gut of Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae)

Abstract

Sarcoptes scabiei (De Geer) mites burrow in the nonliving stratum corneum of the epidermis of their mammalian hosts. These mites ingest extracellular fluid (serum) that seeps into the burrow from the lower vascular dermis. A strong host antibody response occurs when mites die in the skin. This suggests internal immunogenic proteins are released into the host at this time. Vaccination with internal antigens may be an approach to protect against this mite if host antibody to internal antigens that regulate key physiological processes is ingested along with serum. Our study clearly showed that scabies mites ingest host immunoglobulin as evidenced by the localization of fluorescent-labeled antibody to host immunoglobulin in the anterior midgut and esophagus of fresh mites removed from the host. This is the first study that demonstrates that this nonblood-feeding ectoparasitic mite ingests host antibody while feeding on tissue fluid that seeps into the stratum corneum.

Characterization of a Serine Protease Homologous to House Dust Mite Group 3 Allergens from the Scabies Mite Sarcoptes scabiei

“…In an adjacent section, human IgG, which for the purpose of this experiment was used as a positive control, was localized in the gut (Fig. 1B) as previously documented (20). In an adjacent section the anti-Sar s 3 antibody also yielded strong staining in the digestive system of the mite (Fig.…”

A Proteomic Analysis ofSarcoptes scabiei(Acari: Sarcoptidae)

“…Likewise, a vaccine that contained immunogenic proteins from any of these sources could induce host antibody that would bind with any of these proteins and disrupt the processes in which the target protein was involved (digestion and uptake of nutrients and water, metamorphosis and molting, excretion, or reproduction) when ingested. Previous studies show that scabies mites ingest serum that seeps into the burrow and host antibody, some of which remains intact and presumably active (Arlian et al 1988b, Rapp et al 2006.…”

Scabies Mite Inactivated Serine Protease Paralogs Inhibit the Human Complement System

“…We have accordingly named this family scabies mite inactivated protease paralogs (SMIPPs) (14). SMIPPs of each clade are present in the mite gut and excreted in fecal pellets (4). We show here that representative SMIPPs from two different subclades inhibit all three complement pathways, which may provide protection against gut damage by complement in serum imbibed by the mites.…”

“…Scabies mites imbibe serum while burrowing (4,5) and must therefore have mechanisms to protect against adverse effects of complement activation. The complement system may be triggered by various ligands and its activation can proceed via three enzymatic cascades: the classical, alternative, and lectin pathways.…”

“…The complement system may be triggered by various ligands and its activation can proceed via three enzymatic cascades: the classical, alternative, and lectin pathways. The classical pathway is initiated by the binding of the C1 complex (comprised of C1q, C1r, and C1s) to immune complexes, while the lectin pathway recognizes particular carbohydrates via mannosebinding lectin (MBL) 4 and other plasma lectins. The alternative pathway is triggered due to structural instability of the C3 molecule leading to autoactivation, direct binding of properdin (6), or as an amplification loop to the two other pathways.…”