Efficacy of the EG95 hydatid vaccine in a macropodid host, the tammar wallaby.
In Australia, macropodids are common intermediate hosts for the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, and sylvatic transmission is maintained via wild dogs. The parasite causes mortality in a number of macropodid species and the sylvatic cycle provides a source of infection to domestic livestock and humans. We determined the efficacy of the hydatid vaccine, EG95 in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, challenging either 1 or 9 months post-vaccination. EG95 provides similar protection to that seen in sheep (96-100%). Control tammars were significantly more likely to become infected (odds ratio 29.44; CI 4.13, 209.97; P=0.001) and to develop more cysts (count ratio 26.69; CI 5.83, 122.19; P<0.001). The vaccination may be beneficial if administered pre-release in captive breeding programmes for endangered macropodids. Further work to develop oral delivery methods may enable vaccine administration of wild animals and thereby a reduction in sylvatic transmission.
Barnes
T S
TS
The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, 4072, Australia. t.barnes@uq.edu.au
Hinds
L A
LA
Jenkins
D J
DJ
Coleman
G T
GT
Colebrook
A L
AL
Kyngdon
C T
CT
Gauci
C G
CG
Lightowlers
M W
MW
D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005260:Female; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D007614:Macropodidae; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; C446034:EG95 protein, Echinococcus granulosus; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic