title: Preliminary investigations into the immunization of lambs against infection with Taenia multiceps metacestodes.
abstract: Two trials were carried out to investigate the protective value of various antigens in the immunization of lambs against Taenia multiceps metacestode infections. The first trial involved groups of 5 or 6 lambs immunized with activated T. multiceps oncospheres; activated T. hydatigena oncospheres; T. multiceps coenurus fluid antigens, and two untreated control groups. All except one of the control groups were challenged orally with T. multiceps oncospheres 5 weeks later. The results of the trial were equivocal with 1 to 3 lambs from each group showing post-mortem evidence of infection. There was evidence that some lambs from this trial had previously been exposed to Taenia oncospheres, thus nullifying possible effects of immunization. A second trial used two groups of 5 "cestode free" lambs. One group was immunized with T. multiceps oncosphere-derived antigens prior to challenge and showed significant protection when compared with the sham-vaccinated controls.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013621:Taenia / Q000276:immunology*; D013622:Taeniasis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*