Scabies, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei that burrows in the stratum corneum of the skin, is an important worldwide health problem affecting 300 million persons. In the U.S., scabies is common in the general population and frequently occurs in nursing homes and day care centers. Scabies persists despite the availability of toxic acaricides largely because carriers of the disease are asymptomatic and not diagnosed and treated. Our long-term objectives are to develop (1) a vaccine for immunization of susceptible populations for the global control of scabies and (2) better early diagnostic measures for ordinary scabies to reduce the likelihood of transmission. Prerequisite to the development of a vaccine and better diagnostic measures is understanding the immune response mechanism to scabies. To achieve these long-term objectives, the specific aims of the proposed research are: 1. Elucidate the key elements of the immune response mechanisms, mechanisms of resistance and possible immune modulation of the host by the parasite. 2. Establish the effector mechanisms responsible for elimination of an infestation in hosts that express resistance. 3. To identify the immunogenic components that will induce protective immunity to scabies.
Aims 1 and 2 will be accomplished by monitoring the up and/or down regulation of key cytokine mediators by principal effector cells (e.g. macrophages, keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, T and B lymphocytes) in the immune response mechanism to Sarcoptes scabiei. The concentrations of several key cytokines will be determined in supernatants of cultures or isolated immune effector cells in the presence or absence of scabies mite products or extracts. In addition, the immune response presented by resistant hosts will be investigated to identify the mechanism responsible for resistance to scabies.
Aim 3 will be achieved by conducting a series of vaccination trials using mite extracts or purified relevant antigens with the goal of inducing immune-based resistance.
| Arlian, Larry G; Morgan, Marjorie S (2017) A review of Sarcoptes scabiei: past, present and future. Parasit Vectors 10:297 |
| Morgan, Marjorie S; Rider Jr, S Dean; Arlian, Larry G (2017) Identification of antigenic Sarcoptes scabiei proteins for use in a diagnostic test and of non-antigenic proteins that may be immunomodulatory. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 11:e0005669 |
| Arlian, Larry G; Morgan, Marjorie S; Rider Jr, S Dean (2016) Sarcoptes scabiei: genomics to proteomics to biology. Parasit Vectors 9:380 |
| Morgan, Marjorie S; Arlian, Larry G; Rider Jr, S Dean et al. (2016) A Proteomic Analysis of Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae). J Med Entomol 53:553-561 |
| Rider Jr, S Dean; Morgan, Marjorie S; Arlian, Larry G (2015) Draft genome of the scabies mite. Parasit Vectors 8:585 |
| Arlian, Larry G; Feldmeier, Hermann; Morgan, Marjorie S (2015) The Potential for a Blood Test for Scabies. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 9:e0004188 |
| Cote, N M; Jaworski, D C; Wasala, N B et al. (2013) Identification and expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in Sarcoptes scabiei. Exp Parasitol 135:175-81 |
| Morgan, Marjorie S; Arlian, Larry G; Markey, Michael P (2013) Sarcoptes scabiei mites modulate gene expression in human skin equivalents. PLoS One 8:e71143 |
| Rockwood, Jananie; Morgan, Marjorie S; Arlian, Larry G (2013) Proteins and endotoxin in house dust mite extracts modulate cytokine secretion and gene expression by dermal fibroblasts. Exp Appl Acarol 61:311-25 |
| Elder, B Laurel; Morgan, Marjorie S; Arlian, Larry G (2012) Effect of stored product mite extracts on human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. J Med Entomol 49:1411-8 |
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