Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 July 2005
Immunohistochemical analysis of skin and draining lymph nodes of sheep repeatedly infested with the ixodid tick Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum were studied for different antigen-presenting cells and lymphocyte subpopulations. Infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes adjacent to the tick bite site were observed. Skin biopsies showed significant increases in dermal infiltration of CD8+ and γδ+ T cells at 72 h and 8 days after both primary and secondary infestation. Infiltrations of MHC-II DR/DQ decreased at 72 h after tick infestation, whereas significant increases were recorded for 8-day skin biopsies. CD1+ cellular infiltrations were observed during secondary infestations at the dermis. Decreased ratios of CD4[ratio ]CD8 T cells and MHC-II[ratio ]CD1 antigen-presenting cells were observed in both infestations compared to healthy skin biopsies. Ratios of αβ[ratio ]γδ T cells increased gradually during infestation compared to uninfested skin. The regional lymph nodes from tick-infested sheep showed an increased CD8+, γδ+ T and CD1+ cellular infiltration compared to control lymph nodes. CD4+ T cells were decreased. There were no significant changes in CD45R+ cellular infiltration either at skin lesions or regional lymph nodes.