Induction of humoral immune response to multiple recombinant Rhipicephalus appendiculatus antigens and their effect on tick feeding success and pathogen transmission. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olds, Cassandra; Mwaura, Stephen; Odongo, David; Scoles, Glen; Bishop, Richard; Daubenberger, Claudia
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Theileria parva -- ECF -- East Coast fever -- Rhipicephalus appendiculatus -- p67 -- TRP64 -- Subolesin -- Histamine binding protein -- Cattle; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1774-0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is the primary vector ofTheileria parva, the etiological agent of East Coast fever (ECF), a devastating disease of cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesized that a vaccine targeting tick proteins that are involved in attachment and feeding might affect feeding success and possibly reduce tick-borne transmission ofT. parva . Here we report the evaluation of a multivalent vaccine cocktail of tick antigens for their ability to reduceR. appendiculatus feeding success and possibly reduce tick-transmission ofT. parva in a natural host-tick-parasite challenge model. Methods Cattle were inoculated with a multivalent antigen cocktail containing recombinant tick protective antigen subolesin as well as two additionalR. appendiculatus saliva antigens: the cement protein TRP64, and three different histamine binding proteins. The cocktail also contained theT. parva sporozoite antigen p67C. The effect of vaccination on the feeding success of nymphal and adultR. appendiculatus ticks was evaluated together with the effect on transmission ofT. parva using a tick challenge model. Results To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of the anti-tick effects of these antigens in the natural host-tick-parasite combination. In spite of evidence of strong immune responses to all of the antigens in the cocktail, vaccination with this combination of tick and parasite antigens did not appear to effect tick feeding success or reduce transmission ofT. parva . Conclusion The results of this study highlight the importance of early evaluation of anti-tick vaccine candidates in biologically relevant challenge systems using the natural tick-host-parasite combination.