Tick bite immunity: could repeated exposure protect against lyme and other diseases?
NCT ID NCT05965635
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether humans can develop immunity to tick bites by repeatedly exposing 11 volunteers to uninfected ticks. Researchers measured tick feeding success and signs of immune response like itching and redness. The goal is to see if tick immunity exists in people, which could help create a vaccine that targets ticks themselves, potentially preventing multiple tick-borne diseases at once.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Ixodes scapularis nymphs (tick bites)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could pave the way for an anti-tick vaccine that prevents multiple tick-borne diseases.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early proof-of-concept study with only 11 participants. It does not test a vaccine or treatment, only whether tick immunity is possible in humans.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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AUMC location AMC
Amsterdam-Zuidoost, North Holland, 1105 AZ, Netherlands