Immunoprotection in goats against Haemonchus contortus after immunization with cysteine protease enriched protein fractions.
Haemonchus cysteine proteases, because of their apparent critical function in worm physiology, are considered important candidates in the immunological control of haemonchosis in sheep. Only limited information is, however, available on the immunoprotective properties of these molecules in goats. In the present study cysteine proteases of Haemonchus contortus adult worms isolated from a goat strain (Gran Canaria, Spain) were enriched by affinity chromatography and evaluated as immunoprotective antigens against caprine haemonchosis. The eggs per gram of faeces averaged over the whole experiment for unvaccinated goats (550 +/- 13.5) was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than that of vaccinated goats (61 +/- 2.9). Accordingly, the worm burden was significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05), with mean values of 247.5 +/- 43.8 and 762.5 +/- 78.3 worms per animal in the immunized and nonimmunized goats, respectively. The percentage of egg (89%) and worm (68%) reduction approached those attained with other immunogens used in sheep.
Ruiz
Antonio
A
Department of Animal Pathology (Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontaña s/n, 35416 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain. aruiz@dpat.ulpgc.es
Molina
José Manuel
JM
González
Jorge Francisco
JF
Conde
Magnolia María
MM
Martín
Sergio
S
Hernández
Yeray Isidro
YI
D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006041:Goats; D006188:Haemonchiasis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D006189:Haemonchus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary; D014612:Vaccines
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D014612:Vaccines; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases