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Blueprint for schistosomiasis vaccine development.
Robert Bergquist1, Maged Al-Sherbiny, Rashida Barakat
1UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, CH-1211, Geneva 27, Switzerland. bergquistr@who.int
Acta Tropica
|May 22, 2002
Summary
Identifying specific immune responses to schistosome antigens is key for developing effective vaccines. Research shows some immune responses correlate with protection, while others indicate susceptibility, guiding future vaccine design.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Schistosome antigens offer partial protection but not sterile immunity.
- Over 100 schistosome antigens identified; 15% show strong protective potential.
- Human correlate studies link immune responses to schistosome re-infection rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific immune responses correlating with resistance or susceptibility to schistosome re-infection in endemic populations.
- To guide antigen selection and vaccine formulation for human trials.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological cohort studies in Brazil and Egypt.
- Correlation of infection status with immune responses to purified vaccine candidate antigens.
- Analysis of serological reactions and cytokine profiles (e.g., interferon-gamma, IgG1).
Main Results:
- Immune correlates were antigen-specific, showing both positive (resistance) and negative (susceptibility) associations.
- Few antigens demonstrated clear-cut correlations; many induced ambiguous responses.
- Example: One antigen showed positive correlation with interferon-gamma but negative with IgG1.
Conclusions:
- Certain antigen-specific immune responses are desirable for schistosome vaccines, while others should be avoided.
- Insights aid in selecting antigens and formulating vaccines for human trials.
- Replication of these studies in Schistosoma japonicum endemic areas is recommended.