Antibody responses of mice to flea salivary gland extract after exposure to uninfected flea bites.

aELISA results; number positive out of total (No. +) and the mean units of antibody (log10 (U) ± s.d.) of the positive samples are shown. Positive samples defined as having a mean log10 (U)>2 s.d. above negative control sera. bFleas fed on the abdomen of the mice. At the end of their 10-week exposure period, Groups A, B and C mice used to evaluate sensitization also received a final exposure of 25 fleas on the ear 12 hours prior to euthanasia. cmean total cumulative bites received per mouse. All 5-week samples were negative for IgM and all samples were negative for IgE. Antibody responses of mice to flea salivary gland extract after exposure to uninfected flea bites.