Analysis of genes expressed at the infective larval stage validates utility of Litomosoides sigmodontis as a murine model for filarial vaccine development

We used an expressed sequence tag approach to analyze genes expressed by th e infective larvae of the rodent filarial parasite Litomosoides sigmodontis . One hundred fifty two new genes were identified, including several propos ed as vaccine candidates in studies with human filarial parasites. Our find ings have important implications for the use of L. sigmodontis as a model f or filarial, infection.