Prospects for the control of sheep blowfly strike by vaccination

Potent immunosuppression by secretory/excretory products of larvae from the sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina

“…1987, 1990). Antibody to these enzymes may impede normal feeding and stunt or kill the larvae feeding on the skin of immunized sheep and there is some evidence to support this proposition (Sandeman 1990). Suppressive material secreted by the larvae may inhibit antibody responses to these essential enzymes and prolong survival of successive generations of larvae.…”

“…Cutaneous myiasis caused by the larvae of Lucilia cuprina (blowfly strike) is the most economically important disease of sheep in Australia and traditionally has been controlled by insecticides, surgical procedures and breeding (Arundel & Sutherland 1988). It may be possible, however, to vaccinate against the larvae and larval products of L. cuprina and thus reduce the incidence and effects of blowfly strike as well as decreasing dependence on chemicals for control (Sandeman 1990). In order to facilitate vaccine development, it is desirable to understand the means by which a parasite evades or confounds the immune system of the host animal.…”

“…1990). Inhibition of these proteases will kill larvae (Bowls, Feehan & Sandeman 1990), and preliminary results indicate that antibodies against these molecules may affect parasite survival in uitro (Sandeman 1990). However, recent studies of acquired immunity to L. cuprina suggest that blowfly strike provokes poor levels of immunity in exposed sheep (Eisemann et al 1990, Sandeman et al 1986).…”

A technique for initiating cutaneous myiasis (flystrike) on sheep

“…The problem of cutaneous myiasis (flystrike) on sheep is one of major economic concern in Australia and other sheep-farming countries. Various methods of control have been investigated in Australia, including eradication of the major primary strike species, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using genetic control (Whitten et al, 1977), vaccination against larval infection (O'Donnell et al, 1980(O'Donnell et al, , 1981Sandeman et al, 1985Sandeman et al, , 1986 and vaccination against fleece conditions that predispose sheep to strike (Sandeman, 1990). However, integrated management, including the strategic use of insecticides when strike is imminent, continues to be the farmer's most effective means of controlling bodystrike (cf.…”