Recent advances in vaccination against cysticercosis

Progress in recent research towards vaccination against cysticercosis is reviewed briefly. An antigen of Taenia ovis has recently been cloned using recombinant DNA techniques and this single defined recombinant molecule has been shown to induce high-level protection against challenge infection in sheep. Prospects for the application of this discovery in T. ovis for development of effective vaccines against infection with the metacestodes of other taeniid parasites are discussed. The extent and level of cross protection between different taeniid species is reviewed. Recent research results defining stage-specific immune responses against T. taeniaeformis in mice following immunization with oncosphere and metacestode antigens is discussed in relation to the potential development of cocktail vaccines. Such vaccines may be capable of protecting against initial infection and the killing of those parasites which might evade the early-phase immune responses. Recent advances in the development of a practical vaccine against Taenia ovis infection in sheep raise the realistic prospect of the development of a similar vaccine against other taeniid parasites including T. solium. Advances in the understanding of vaccination - induced immune responses against T. taeniaeformis infection in mice also indicate that effective immunization may be capable of eliminating the establishment of any viable metacestodes.