Vaccination of domestic pig with recombinant paramyosin against Schistosoma japonicum in China

Paramyosin (PM), a myosin-like protein is a major antigen on Schistosoma japonicum (Sj). We reported that passive transfer of a monoclonal IgE SjE18 epsilon.1 which recognizes PM of Sj (SJPM), partially protected mice from challenge infection. In the present study, we developed an experimental model system of schistosomiasis japonica with domestic pigs in China and used it for the evaluation of vaccination with recombinant SJPM (rSJPM). Sixteen-week-old pigs were successfully infected by dermal penetration of 120 cercariae of a domestic strain of Sj (50-60% worm recovery It weeks after challenge). The pigs vaccinated with 400 UV attenuated cercariae showed a reduction of worm recovery (53% p < 0.001). The experimental groups were immunized intradermally with rSJPM and alum or TiterMax and were partially protected against the challenge infection (32-35% reduction). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.