Lack of detectable variation at Borrelia burgdorferi vlsE locus in ticks.

VlsE is a surface exposed lipoprotein of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Spirochetes are able to generate many antigenic variants of VlsE by DNA recombination at the vlsE locus. Novel VlsE antigenic variants are readily observed in mice infected with B.

Maxadilan, the vasodilator/immunomodulator from Lutzomyia longipalpis sand fly saliva, stimulates haematopoiesis in mice.

Protozoal parasites of the genus Leishmania are transmitted to their vertebrate host within the saliva of the sand fly during a blood meal. The saliva of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis contains maxadilan, a potent vasodilator and immunomodulator. Maxadilan has been shown to enhance the virulence of L.