Mast cell-deficient W/W v mice and their mast cell-sufficient+/+ genetic controls were allowed
to undergo three successive infestations with Dermacentor variabilis larvae. Histological
examination of the skin of infected mice revealed large dermal accumulations of eosinophils
and smaller numbers of neutrophils. The numbers of both eosinophils and neutrophils
increased significantly in W/W v and+/+ mice during secondary and tertiary infestations. Mast
cell numbers were also found to increase in the skin of+/+ mice during tertiary infestations …