Hyaluronidases are enzymes that mainly degrade hyaluronan, the major glycosaminoglycan
of the interstitial matrix. They are involved in several pathological and physiological activities …

Insects as vectors of disease to humans and domesticated animals and as direct agricultural
pests are a source of tremendous economic and health-related challenge. The eating habits …

Ixodes ricinus is a tick that transmits the pathogens of Lyme and several arboviral diseases.
Pathogens invade the tick midgut, disseminate through the hemolymph and are transmitted …

Saliva from mosquitoes contains vasodilators that antagonize vasoconstrictors produced at
the bite site. Sialokinin is a vasodilator present in the saliva of Aedes aegypti. Here, we …

Only adult female mosquitoes feed on blood, while both genders take sugar meals.
Accordingly, several compounds associated with blood feeding (ie vasodilators, anti-clotting …

Although pathogens are usually transmitted within the first 24–48 h of attachment of the
castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus, little is known about the tick's biological responses at these …

Glycerids are marine annelids commonly known as bloodworms. Bloodworms have an
eversible proboscis adorned with jaws connected to venom glands. Bloodworms prey on …

Background Salivary cell secretion (SCS) plays a critical role in blood feeding by medicinal
leeches, making them of use for certain medical purposes even today. Results We …

Tick secretory proteins modulate haemostasis, inflammation and immune responses of the
host and are attractive recombinant anti-tick vaccine candidates. Yet, many of the proteins …

Background Successful mating of female mosquitoes typically occurs once, with the male
sperm being stored in the female spermatheca for every subsequent oviposition event. The …