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Prospect for an Entamoeba histolytica Gal‐lectin‐based vaccine
Author(s) -
Gaucher Denis,
Chadee Kris
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3024.2003.00607.x
Subject(s) - entamoeba histolytica , biology , immunogenicity , dna vaccination , lectin , immunology , amoebiasis , virology , vaccination , antigen , microbiology and biotechnology , immunization
SUMMARY Entamoeba histolytica is the aetiological agent of invasive amoebiasis, the third leading parasitic cause of mortality in the world. The disease can be easily cured by chemotherapy; however, prevention, mainly in the form of vaccination, could greatly decrease the incidence of the disease, and possibly help in its eradication. The parasite's surface galactose and N‐acetyl‐ d ‐galactosamine‐inhibitable adherence lectin (Gal‐lectin) is highly antigenic and is the most promising subunit vaccine candidate. We have generated a Gal‐lectin‐based DNA vaccine and tested its immunogenicity in mice. Although further optimization will probably be required, this vaccine could help in the generation of an amoebiasis DNA vaccine for use in humans.