HOMOLOGOUS AND HETEROLOGOUS IMMUNIZATION AGAINST THE METACESTODES OF TAENIA-SAGINATA AND TAENIA-TAENIAEFORMIS IN CATTLE AND MICE

Cattle and mice were immunized against infection with Taenia saginata and Taenia taeniaeformis, respectively, using antigens obtained from both homologous and heterologous species of cestodes. Mice were protected against infection with T. taeniaeformis when they were immunized intramuscularly or orally with either a somatic antigen extracted from the metacestodes or an excretory/secretory (E/S) antigen collected during the in vitro culture of oncospheres of T. taeniaeformis. Also, the intramuscular or oral immunization of mice with the E/S antigens from the oncospheres of T. saginata was highly effective in inducing protection against infection with T. taeniaeformis, as was intramuscular immunization with a somatic antigen extracted from the metacestodes of Taenia crassiceps and prior infection with viable metacestodes of T. crassiceps. Furthermore, three-month-old calves developed a protective immunity against infection with T. saginata when they were immunized intramuscularly with the E/S products of oncospheres of the homologous parasite or a heterologous parasite, T. taeniaeformis. In addition, the E/S products of the heterologous parasite, T. taeniaeformis, as well as the homologous parasite, T. saginata, were highly effective when used to immunize pregnant heifers, either intramuscularly or via the intramammary route, resulting in a passive transfer of immunity against T. saginata to newborn calves. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.