Protection tests against parasitic diseases

The development of parasite immunology during the last decade has been highly beneficial to our understanding of immune processes against parasites, and recent research has been devoted to the target antigens of effector mechanisms, especially those localized on the surfaces of the pathogens. In this context, define antigenic structures have been identified, which induced significant degree of protection. In malaria, circumsporozoite and merozoite proteins, with large repetitive sequences, have been isolated from various species of Plasmodium and cloned. Monoclonal antibodies produced against these antigens inhibited the invasion of host cells by living parasites. Some results have also been obtained in protective immunity against Leishmania and Toxoplasma. In schistosomiasis, the main characteristic of defence processes is the narrow association between cellular and humoral immunity in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic mechanisms. Eosinophils, macrophages, and platelets efficiently killed schistosome larvae when activated by specific antibody of anaphylactic classes, especially IgE. Some of the target antigens have been characterized and cloned. The transfer to normal animals of monoclonal antibodies, and, in one case, of an anti-idiotype antibody, has induced a significant protection against challenge infestations. Optimistic perspectives can therefore be opened concerning an efficacious immunoprophylaxis of an increasing number of parasitic diseases. An adequate conjunction between potentially protective antigens and selective immunomodulators and adjuvants should lead to vaccination. Such an aim nowadays appears as more than a hope.