Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination

Birhanu Hurisa1, Abebe Mengesha1, Bethlehem Newayesilassie1, Sisay Kerga1, Gezahegn Kebede1, Denis Bankovisky2, Arthem Metlin3 and Kelbessa Urga1

3^rd International Conference on Vaccines & Vaccination

July 29-31, 2013 Embassy Suites Las Vegas, NV, USA

Carina S. Pinheiro, Vicente P. Martins, Barbara C. P. Figueiredo, Natan R. G. Assis, Suellen B. Morais, Marcelo V. Caliari,Vasco Azevedo, WilliamCastro-Borges, R. AlanWilson and Sergio C. Oliveira

Accepted Abstracts: J Vaccines Vaccin

Abstract:

T he flatworm Schistosoma mansoni is a blood fluke parasite that causes schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease that occurs throughout the developing world. Current schistosomiasis control strategies are mainly based on chemotherapy, but many researchers believe that the best long-term strategy to control schistosomiasis is through immunization with an antischistosomiasis vaccine combined with drug treatment. In the search for potential vaccine candidates, numerous tegument antigens have been assessed. As the major interface between parasite and mammalian host, the tegument plays crucial roles in the establishment and further course of schistosomiasis. Herein, we evaluated the potential of a GPI fraction, containing representative molecules located on the outer surface of adult worms, as vaccine candidate. Immunization of mice with GPI-anchored proteins induced a mixed Th1/Th2 type of immune response with production of IFN-γ and TNF-α, and low levels of IL-5 into the supernatant of splenocyte cultures. The protection engendered by this vaccination protocol was confirmed by 42% reduction in worm burden, 45% reduction in eggs per gram of hepatic tissue, 29% reduction in the number of granulomas per area, and 53% reduction in the granuloma fibrosis. Taken together, the data herein support the potential of surface-exposed GPI-anchored antigens from the S.mansoni tegument as vaccine candidate.