1. Vaccination against Fasciola hepatica infection using a Schistosoma mansoni defined recombinant antigen, Sm14.
- Author
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Almeida MS, Torloni H, Lee-Ho P, Vilar MM, Thaumaturgo N, Simpson AJ, and Tendler M
- Subjects
- Animals, Carrier Proteins immunology, Fascioliasis immunology, Fatty Acid Transport Proteins, Helminth Proteins immunology, Immunity, Active, Liver pathology, Recombinant Proteins administration & dosage, Recombinant Proteins genetics, Recombinant Proteins immunology, Sheep, Vaccines, Synthetic administration & dosage, Vaccines, Synthetic genetics, Antigens, Helminth immunology, Carrier Proteins administration & dosage, Fasciola hepatica immunology, Fascioliasis prevention & control, Helminth Proteins administration & dosage, Membrane Transport Proteins, Schistosoma mansoni immunology, Vaccination
- Abstract
Fasciola hepatica is the causative agent of fasciolosis in many areas in America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. There is an urgent need for improved methods to control the parasite's transmission. We describe the use of an experimental vaccine based on a recombinant antigen cloned from another parasite, Schistosoma mansoni (Sm14), that induces high levels of cross protection in mice against both S. mansoni and F. hepatica. Sheep and mice vaccinated with Sm14 were significantly protected against challenge infection with metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica and were completely free of the histopathological hepatic damage related to liver fluke infection. The vaccine will provide a valuable new tool to aid in transmission control of this economically important disease.
- Published
- 2003
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