Study of Human Body Immune Response to Bites from Ixodes Scapularis Ticks Monitoring Skin and Blood Reactions After Controlled Tick Exposure Evaluating Safety and Development of Tick Resistance in Healthy Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how the human body, especially the skin, responds to bites from the deer tick Ixodes scapularis, which can carry diseases like Lyme disease. The goal is to develop a model of acquired tick resistance and to better understand immune reactions to tick bites. This prospective, non-randomized study involves healthy adult volunteers without prior tick-borne disease or tick bite exposure. Participants will undergo up to three tick feeding procedures spaced 2 to 8 weeks apart. In the first procedure, 20 laboratory-bred ticks are placed at two sites on the skin, with ticks removed after 1 day at one site and 2 to 4 days at the other. For the second and third procedures, 10 ticks are placed at one site and removed after 2 to 3 days. Skin punch biopsies and blood samples will be collected at different time points to examine immune responses and changes in tick gene expression. During the 5 to 7 months of participation, volunteers will complete symptom diaries, answer questions about itching, and attend follow-up visits including phone calls after each tick feeding. Researchers will take photos, collect skin biopsies, and monitor blood samples to assess local and systemic immune reactions. Safety will be closely monitored, and follow-up visits will occur 4 to 6 weeks and 3 months after final tick removal to discuss health and analyze blood samples.

Human Immune Response to Ixodes Scapularis Tick Bites