EFFECTIVE IMMUNE PROTECTION OF PIGS AGAINST CYSTICERCOSIS

A scolex protein antigen (SPA) was prepared from cysticerci of Taenia solium obtained from naturally infected pigs. Yorkshire pigs were vacc inated with SPA plus incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) or with SPA pl us Corynebacterium parvum (CP). Controls were given IFA plus phosphate -buffered saline (PBS) or CP plus PBS. All animals were given three su bcutaneous injections at 20-day intervals. Ten days after the third in jection, the pigs were fed with 10(4) viable eggs of T. solium. All pi gs developed a delayed type hypersensitivity, and a transient eosinoph ilia after the first dose of vaccine. High titers of specific antibodi es were detected in the sera of vaccinated animals and in infected con trols. A protection level of 71.43% was recorded in animals vaccinated with SPA plus IFA and of 75.00% in those vaccinated with SPA plus CP.