Successful immunization of naturally reared pigs against porcine cysticercosis with a recombinant oncosphere antigen vaccine

César M. Jayashi, Craig T. Kyngdon, Charles G. Gauci, Armando E. Gonzalez, Marshall W. Lightowlers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Taenia solium causes cysticercosis in pigs and taeniasis and neurocysticercosis in humans. Oncosphere antigens have proven to be effective as vaccines to protect pigs against an experimental infection with T. solium. A pair-matched vaccination trial field, using a combination of two recombinant antigens, TSOL16 and TSOL18, was undertaken in rural villages of Peru to evaluate the efficacy of this vaccine under natural conditions. Pairs of pigs (n=137) comprising one vaccinated and one control animal, were allocated to local villagers. Animals received two vaccinations with 200. μg of each of TSOL16 and TSOL18, plus 5. mg Quil-A. Necropsies were performed 7 months after the animals were distributed to the farmers. Vaccination reduced 99.7% and 99.9% (p<0.01) the total number of cysts and the number of viable cysts, respectively. Immunization with the TSOL16-TSOL18 vaccines has the potential to control T. solium transmission in areas where the disease is endemic, reducing the source for tapeworm infections in humans.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)261-267
Number of pages7
JournalVeterinary Parasitology
Volume188
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 Sep 2012

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors thank the Cysticercosis Working Group in Tumbes for their support during the animal necropsies. The Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, for their technical support and assistance in laboratory and field work duties. We thank all families in Morropon for their collaboration and enthusiasm through the study. Funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (grant number 350279 ) (ML), and The Wellcome Trust, UK (ML, AG) are acknowledged.

Keywords

  • Cysticercosis
  • Field trial
  • Immunization
  • Neurocysticercosis
  • Pigs
  • TSOL16
  • TSOL18
  • Taeniasis
  • Vaccine

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