PROGRESS IN DEVELOPMENT OF LIVER FLUKE VACCINES

Infection of ruminants by Fasciola spp continues to cause large Econom ic losses worldwide. Recent results from several laboratories have dem onstrated that animals can be significantly protected against infectio n by vaccination with defined Fasciola antigens. Apart from reducing f luke burdens, some vaccines can elicit a concurrent reduction in paras ite egg production. The expectation of a commercially feasible vaccine that might also reduce parasite transmission in the field is now real istic, although major hurdles still exist. Here, Terry Spithill and Jo hn Dalton review the results of several recent vaccine trials and disc uss the future prospects for vaccine development.