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Echinococcus granulosus: development of an intermediate host mouse model for use in vaccination studies
R P Dempster1, M V Berridge, G B Harrison
1Pitman-Moore New Zealand Limited, Upper Hutt.
International Journal for Parasitology
|September 1, 1991
Summary
A new mouse model helps researchers study Echinococcus granulosus infections. Prior infection in Balb/cJ mice conferred full resistance against subsequent challenge, indicating potential for vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Echinococcus granulosus causes cystic echinococcosis, a significant zoonotic disease.
- Developing effective vaccines requires understanding host-parasite interactions and identifying protective antigens.
- Existing mouse models have limitations in replicating human infection dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a mouse model for evaluating protective antigens against Echinococcus granulosus.
- To investigate the susceptibility of different mouse strains to Echinococcus granulosus infection.
- To assess the efficacy of a prior infection in conferring resistance to subsequent challenge.
Main Methods:
- Infection of DBA/2J, CBA/J, Balb/cJ, C57/B16J, and CF-1 mice via oral and parenteral routes with Echinococcus granulosus eggs, hatched eggs, or activated oncospheres.
- Intraperitoneal and intravenous injection of activated oncospheres into Balb/cJ mice to establish a challenge model.
- Monitoring cyst development and anatomical localization following different infection routes.
- Assessing resistance to challenge infection after prior exposure in Balb/cJ mice.
Main Results:
- Oral infection resulted in low cyst establishment (<1%).
- Intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of activated oncospheres increased cyst burden, particularly in Balb/cJ mice.
- Intraperitoneal injection localized cysts to the peritoneal cavity, while intravenous injection primarily targeted the lung and thoracic cavity (with exceptions in DBA/2J mice).
- Prior infection in Balb/cJ mice conferred complete resistance to a subsequent Echinococcus granulosus challenge.
Conclusions:
- The developed mouse model effectively simulates Echinococcus granulosus infection and allows for evaluation of protective strategies.
- Balb/cJ mice demonstrate strain-specific susceptibility and develop robust immunity after initial infection.
- This model provides a platform for screening potential vaccine candidates targeting Echinococcus granulosus.