VACCINATION OF PIGS TO CONTROL HUMAN NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS

ARMANDO E. GONZALEZ School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru; Veterinary Clinical Centre, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; Immunology Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland

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CHARLES G. GAUCI School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru; Veterinary Clinical Centre, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; Immunology Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland

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DYLAN BARBER School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru; Veterinary Clinical Centre, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; Immunology Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland

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ROBERT H. GILMAN School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru; Veterinary Clinical Centre, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; Immunology Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland

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VICTOR C. W. TSANG School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru; Veterinary Clinical Centre, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; Immunology Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland

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HECTOR H. GARCIA School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru; Veterinary Clinical Centre, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; Immunology Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland

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MANUELA VERASTEGUI School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru; Veterinary Clinical Centre, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; Immunology Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland

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MARSHALL W. LIGHTOWLERS School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru; Veterinary Clinical Centre, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; Immunology Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2005.72.837
Volume/Issue:
Volume 72: Issue 6
Page(s):
837–839
Restricted access
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Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease complex in which the pig is an obligate intermediate host. The infection is widespread, particularly in the developing world, and neurocysticercosis is a major cause of human neurologic disease where the parasite is endemic. Despite easy availability, effective anti-parasitic drugs have not been deployed effectively to control disease transmission. We have investigated a vaccine strategy to prevent parasite infection of the pig intermediate host. Such a strategy would interrupt the parasite’s life cycle and eliminate the source of infection for humans. Two recombinant antigens selected from the parasite oncosphere life cycle stage were tested in vaccination trials in pigs that were challenged orally with Taenia solium eggs. Both antigens were highly effective in protecting the pigs against infection with the parasite (98.6% and 99.9% protection, respectively). No viable cysts were found in eight pigs vaccinated with one of the antigens. A recombinant subunit vaccine based on oncosphere antigens has the potential to improve the available control measures for T. solium and thereby reduce or eliminate neurocysticercosis.

Author Notes

Reprint requests: Marshall W. Lightowlers, Veterinary Clinical Centre, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
Copyright:
Copyright 2005 The American Society of Tropical Medicine 2005
Received:
14 Sep 2004
|
Accepted:
29 Nov 2004
|
Published Online:
Jun 2005
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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