Vaccination with recombinant paramyosin in Montanide ISA206 protects against Schistosoma japonicum infection in water buffalo.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis japonica is a zoonosis and presents significant public health problems in China and the Philippines. Vaccines targeting domestic animals constitute attractive control measures.

METHODS: We conducted three vaccine trials to evaluate the protective efficacy of recombinant full-length paramyosin (rSj97) in water buffalo. Animals were immunized with 3 doses of rSj97 adjuvanted with ISA206 at 250μg/dose or 500μg/dose at 4wk intervals before challenge with 1000 Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. The primary outcome was worm burden assessed by portal perfusion 8-10weeks post challenge. Safety measures included weight, temperature, body condition score, hemogram and routine assays for hepatic and renal function.

RESULTS: The three-dose regimen was well tolerated in all three trials. In the first trial, vaccinated buffalo had 51.5% lower worm burden post challenge compared to controls. In the second trial, buffalo immunized with 500μg/dose of rSj97 had 57.8% lower worm burden compared to controls (p=0.026). A similar but not significant reduction (60.9%) was observed with animals administered with 250ug rSj97/dose. In the third trial, buffalo immunized with a 500μg/dose of rSj97 had 57.8% lower worm burden compared to controls (p=0.014).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that rSj97 is a safe and promising vaccine candidate for schistosomiasis japonica in water buffalo.