Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Vaccine proteins protect mice from Toxocara canis infection
By Jaramillo-Hernández, Dumar Alexander et al.·Published in Vaccine·2022·Institute of Health Sciences (ICS), Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Protective response mediated by immunization with recombinant proteins in a murine model of toxocariasis and canine infection by Toxocara canis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of puppies, some naturally infected with the Toxocara canis parasite, were given a new vaccine made from specific proteins to see if it would help reduce the parasite in their bodies. The vaccine significantly lowered the number of parasite eggs found in their feces by 95% and reduced the number of eggs from the uteri of expelled adult female parasites by over 58%. This study marks the first clinical trial of a vaccine targeting T. canis in dogs, showing promising results in stimulating the immune response against this infection. Further research is needed to understand how long the protection lasts and how it works in the immune system.
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Abstract
Toxocariasis is a neglected parasitic zoonosis of global importance. The development of a formulation that can be used as a vaccine would help the definitive control of the infection. Preclinical studies selected two recombinant T. canis proteins (rTcVcan and rTcCad) which significantly protected mice against larval migration. In the present work, these proteins plus three adjuvants (Alhydrogel®, PAM3CSK4®, and Quil-A®) were used to immunize mice against toxocariasis; blood samples were collected three times to measure IgG (total, IgG1, IgG2a), IgA, and IgE via indirect ELISA. Cytokines (IL-5, TNF-α, and IL-10) were measured in splenocytes supernatant, and T. canis larvae were quantified in tissues. The best protein + adjuvant pair found (rTVcan + QuialA®) was then used to immunize T. canis-free puppies (n = 18) that were experimentally infected with T. canis and T. canis naturally-infected puppies (n = 6). Immunoglobulin (IgA, IgE, IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a), parasite load (eggs in feces), number of expelled adults and eggs extracted from the female uterus, and their fertility percentages were analyzed. In mice, it was observed a highly significant reduction (73%) of tissue larvae, a mixed cytokine profile (Th/Th), and anti-T. canis antibody titers (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a) using rTVcan + QuialA® mix. In canines, rTVcan + QuialA® promoted reduction in the parasite eggs in feces (95%) and eggs reduction obtained from the uteri of pharmacologically expelled adult females (58.38%). In our knowledge this is the first canine clinical trial of a vaccine with T. canis recombinant proteins. The formulation used has been shown to efficiently stimulate the production of antibodies against infection by T. canis. In the canine, a significant reduction in the number of eggs expelled by the experimental animals that received the formulation prophylactically was evidenced. Future tests should be developed to evaluate the duration of the protective effect and analyze other immune pathways that could be stimulated by the formulation used.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35012775/