Duration of Antibodies against 24 kd Protein of Rhipicephalus sanguineus Extract in Dogs Infested with the Adult Ticks

A 24 kd protein from Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Rs24p) which was common to larvae, nymphs, male and female whole body and salivary gland extract of males and female was detected specifically in the serum from dogs after repeated infestation with adult R. sanguineus. The duration of antibodies against Rs24p in dogs infested with adults was examined by Western blotting analysis. Anti-Rs24p antibody was detected in two of 4 dogs during the period of 40 days in the first infestation. In the second infestation, all dogs showed positive reaction against Rs24p, but the duration of the antibodies varied greatly among the animals.