The present invention is directed to a novel product and method for isolating ectoparasite saliva proteins, and a novel product and method for detecting and/or treating allergic dermatitis in an animal. The present invention includes a saliva protein collection apparatus capable of collecting ectoparasite saliva proteins substantially free of contaminating material. The present invention also relates to ectoparasite saliva proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins and to use such proteins to identify animals susceptible to or having allergic dermatitis. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins and their use to treat animals susceptible to or having allergic dermatitis.
The invention relates to the rearing of insects, especially for the therapeutic application of the secretion of fly larvae (maggots). The eggs of the flies are stored and/or transported in a container under conditions that inhibit their development. For application, the eggs are removed from the development-inhibiting conditions and placed under conditions in which they can be reared and fed so that the maggots hatch out, grow and secrete the secretion to be applied.
