Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Testing a DNA vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats
By Minutti, Ana Flávia et al.·Published in Vaccine·2025·Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of a DNA vector plasmid encoding a partial rop18 gene from toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats as a vaccine candidate.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Four domestic cats were given a potential vaccine to help protect against Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cause health issues. Two of the cats received a DNA vaccine containing a part of the parasite's gene, while the other two received a control treatment. After a series of immunizations, all cats were exposed to the parasite, and those that received the vaccine shed 53.3% fewer oocysts (the parasite's eggs) in their feces. The vaccinated cats also produced specific antibodies against the parasite, suggesting that this vaccine could help reduce the risk of infection in cats.
People also search for: cat Toxoplasma vaccine · cat parasite prevention · Toxoplasma gondii symptoms in cats
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate a DNA vector plasmid encoding a partial rop18 gene from Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats as a potential vaccine candidate. Four domestic cats (Felis catus) were used, of which two animals received 25 μg of pcDNA 3.1 + rop18, and two received 25 μg of pcDNA 3.1. All animals received intramuscular immunizations with four doses every three weeks along with 1.5 % levamisole. Thirty days after the last immunization, the animals were infected with 300 tissue cysts from ToxoDB #182 strain, a non-archetypal genotype isolated from a wild cat. Fecal examinations were performed for oocyst shedding. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting analyses with recombinant ROP18 were performed to assess the humoral immune response. Animals that received plasmid containing the partial T. gondii rop18 gene produced specific IgG antibodies and shed 53.3 % fewer oocysts than controls. The two groups of animals showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in oocyst shedding; however, they showed significant differences in the detection of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the T. gondii rop18 gene is a potential vaccine candidate against oocyst shedding in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40054140/