title: Proteins mediating the Neospora caninum-host cell interaction as targets for vaccination.
abstract: Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite that is capable of infecting, a wide range of tissues. The fact that Neospora represents an important abortion-causing parasite in cattle has transformed neosporosis research from an earlier, rather esoteric field, to a significant research topic, and considerable investments have been made in the last years to develop an efficacious vaccine or other means of intervention that would prevent infection and abortion due to N. caninum infection in cattle. Antigenic molecules associated with proteins involved in adhesion/invasion or other parasite-host-cell interaction processes can confer protection against Neospora caninum infection, and such proteins represent valuable targets for the development of a vaccine to limit economical losses due to neosporosis. Although not ideal, small laboratory animal models that mimic cerebral infection, acute disease and fetal loss upon infection during pregnancy have been used for the assessment of vaccine candidates, in parallel with studies on experimental infections in cattle. Herein, we review and critically assess these vaccination approaches and discuss potential options for improvements.
authors.affiliation: Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Berne, Langgass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland. andrew.hemphill@vetsuisse.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hemphill
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Debache
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Monney
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schorer
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guionaud
authors.forename: Ferial
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alaeddine
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000378:metabolism*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000662:veterinary; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D018688:Neospora / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines