Immunization of mice against infection with Taenia taeniaeformis using various antigens prepared from eggs, oncospheres, developing larvae and strobilocerci

• Published in: International journal for parasitology Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 315 - 324
• Main Authors: Rajasekariah, G.R., Rickard, M.D., Mitchell, G.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.1980
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic; animal health; animal parasites and pests; Animals; Antigens - immunology; Female; helminths; Immunization; immunization of mice; in vitro culture antigens; Male; membrane-bound antigens; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Mice, Inbred CBA; soluble antigens; sonicated oncospheres; strobilocercus antigens; Taenia - growth & development; Taenia - immunology; Taenia taeniaeformis; Taeniasis - prevention & control; taeniid oncospheres; sonicated oncospheres; immunization of mice; Taenia taeniaeformis; taeniid oncospheres; soluble antigens; membrane-bound antigens; in vitro culture antigens; strobilocercus antigens
• ISSN: 0020-7519; 1879-0135
• DOI: 10.1016/0020-7519(80)90013-2

Rajasekariah G. R., Rickard M. D. and Mitchell G. F. 1980. Immunization of mice against infection with Taenia taeniaeformis using various antigens prepared from eggs, oncospheres, developing larvae and strobilocerci. International Journal for Parasitology 10: 315–324. Antigens were collected during in vitro incubation of oncospheres, 3-week-old larvae and strobilocerci of T. taeniaeformis. Supernatants of these in vitro products centrifuged at 500 g contained antigens which stimulated a significant degree of protective immunity when injected into mice. However, centrifugation of the strobilocercus preparation at 4500 g yielded supernatants which failed to induce immunity. Suspensions of eggs and oncospheres disrupted by sonication stimulated a high level of immunity as also did 4500 g supernatants of the sonicated preparations. Centrifugation of sonicated oncospheres at 100,000 g yielded a supernatant which stimulated significantly less immunity than the 4500 g supernatant, although the protective capacity was not totally abolished. The pellet from 100,000 g centrifugation of sonicated oncospheres induced almost absolute immunity. These results are consistent with the suggestion that the ‘functional’ antigens in the preparations tested may initially be membrane-associated or particulate in nature and that sonication causes partial solubilization. Supernatants prepared from homogenised strobilocerci and centrifuged at 4500 g also stimulated protective immunity and presumably contain soluble antigens. No evidence is available to suggest whether or not the strobilocercus antigens which stimulated protective immunity are identical to those found in oncospheral preparations. Immunity was stimulated by subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and intramuscular injections of antigen and both Freund's complete adjuvant and Bordetella pertusiss vaccine were effective as adjuvants. Using sonicated oncospheres, a high level of immunity was stimulated without the use of adjuvant.