PRODUCTION OF VACCINES AGAINST GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES OF LIVESTOCK

Three international collaborations involving Australian research scientists are currently developing vaccines against Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Ostertagia parasites using recombinant DNA technology. The variety of protective antigens identified can be classified as 'conventional' (stimulate naturally acquired immunity) or 'novel'/'covert'/'concealed' (protective once immunity is induced by vaccination). To date, the most gratifying progress has resulted in 60-90% protection against Haemonchus and other blood-sucking parasites (e.g. ticks) using novel antigens, where high titres of serum antibody ingested by feeding worms leads to their demise. A great deal of research effort is unravelling the complexity of naturally acquired immunity so that conventional antigens, which may be the principal means of removing 'mucosal-browsing' parasites, may be formulated and delivered to achieve optimal efficacy. This work reveals that to remove early stages of parasites before they take up residence, deliberate induction of hypersensitivity responses akin to asthma, may be a desirable goal for vaccines and that the two models have much in common.