Schistosoma Mansoni and S. Japonicum Cross-Reactive Antigens: Potential Candidate Molecules for a Universal Vaccine

Abstract

A universal vaccine which protects against both Schistosoma ma11s011i and japonicum infections is not available although it is highly desirable. This study addresses the need to identify cross-reactive antigens between the two schistosome species. This is the first step towards identification of cross reactive antigens which may potentially contribute to a universal schistosome vaccine in the future. In this study, the cross reactivity of S. mansoni antigens with S. japonicum infection sera were tested using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Four S. manosni antigens, namely PB 1, PB2, P28 and P30 were tested with S. japonicum mouse, rabbit and human infection sera. Based on the graph and the statistical analysis using a student t-test, PB2 and P30 elicited a positive cross reaction. Between the two, PB2 exhibited greater cross reactivity. This data suggests that the S. mansoni antigens PB2 and P30 may be potential universal vaccine candidates. Future work should focus on determining whether S. mansoni antigen PB2 and P30 can protect mice against challenge infection with S. japonicum cercariae.