Evaluation on two types of paramyosin vaccines for the control of Haemaphysalis longicornis infestations in rabbits

Abstract

Background Haemaphysalislongicornis is an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite that transmits a variety of pathogens causing life-threatening diseases in humans and animals. Paramyosin (Pmy) is not only an invertebrate-specific myofibrillar protein but also an important immunomodulatory protein. Therefore, it is one of the ideal candidate antigens for vaccines. Methods We conducted two vaccine trials to evaluate the protective efficacy of Pmy recombinant protein (rPmy) and peptide vaccine (KLH-LEE). Each rabbit was immunized with three doses of rPmy or KLH-LEE adjuvanted with Freund’s complete/incomplete at 500 μg/dose at 2-week intervals before challenge with 40 female H.longicornis/rabbit. PBS plus adjuvant, Trx or KLH was used as control group. The antibodies of rabbits were detected by ELISA. Then, female ticks were fed on the rabbits until detachment. Results ELISA results showed that both vaccines induced rabbits to produce antibodies. Compared with the Trx group, the engorgement weight, oviposition and hatchability of the rPmy group decreased by 8.87%, 26.83% and 38.86%, respectively. On the other hand, engorgement weight, oviposition and hatchability of female ticks in the KLH-LEE group correspondingly resulted in 27.03%, 53.15% and 38.40% reduction compared with that of the KLH group. Considering the cumulative effect of vaccination on the evaluated parameters, results showed 60.37% efficacy of the rPmy vaccine formulation and 70.86% efficacy in the KLH-LEE group. Conclusions Pmy and particularly epitope LEE have potential for further development of an effective candidate vaccine to protect the host against tick infection. Graphic abstarct

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection shapes gut microbiome of the tick vector Haemaphysalis longicornis

“…H. longicornis were bred in our laboratory as previously described [ 18 ]. To establish SFTSV infection, a total of 60 unfed female ticks were selected.…”

Tick Vaccines and Concealed versus Exposed Antigens

“…This is not because it presents a ground-breaking discovery, but rather because it is a robust collection of evidence supporting the different research paths being followed in the pursuit of effective tick and tick-borne pathogens vaccines. Since then, at least 68 different “exposed” and/or “concealed” antigens have been tested in vaccination trials against different tick species aiming to achieve a reduction in tick infestation ( Table 1 ) [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. The attractive idea of transmission blocking vaccines has also thrived, and some studies have included the hypothesis that impairing a tick targeted antigen could also affect the pathogen life cycle occurring within its vector ( Table 1 ).…”