Experimental immunization against cutaneous leishmaniasis using Leishmania major subcellular fractions alone or in combination with Phlebotomus duboscqi gut antigens.

Abstract

Leishmania major-derived flagella and nuclear fractions, and a combination of flagella and sand fly gut antigens were assessed for protection against L. major infection in BALB/c mice. Mice immunized with flagella antigen developed a severe infection while nuclear fraction-immunized animals were partially protected at the onset of infection from week 1 to 4 post challenge. A combination/cock tail of flagella and sand fly gut antigens protected animals at a later stage from week 10 to 14 post-infection. Surviving cocktail-immunized animals did not ulcerate, and parasites did not metastasize to the viscera. These results provide preliminary evidence of the potential of a cock tail antigen derived from Leishmania flagella and sand fly gut in the protection against cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. major.

• Authors: P A Mbati, C O Anjili, R Lugalia, P Mwanyumba, W K Tonui, L L Robert, J I Githure
• Journal: East African medical journal (East Afr Med J) Vol. 72 Issue 8 Pg. 519-22 (Aug 1995) ISSN: 0012-835X [Print] Kenya
• PMID: 7588148 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Protozoan

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens, Protozoan (immunology)
• Cell Nucleus (immunology)
• Flagella (immunology)
• Immunization
• Leishmania major (immunology)
• Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous (immunology, prevention & control)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Phlebotomus (immunology)
• Subcellular Fractions (immunology)