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.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for IMMUNITY TO TICKS are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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
Locations
-
AUMC location AMC
Amsterdam-Zuidoost, North Holland, 1105 AZ, Netherlands
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.