Litomosoides sigmodontis in mice: Reappraisal of an old model for filarialresearch

Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are major causes of severe mor bidity and considerable socio-economic problems throughout the tropics. Vec tor control and mass chemotherapy have helped to control these infections i n some regions, but the temporary success of such measures argues strongly for the development of vaccines. Success in such a venture will require det ailed knowledge of protective immune responses in conjunction with the iden tification of target antigens. By comparison with other important parasitic infections, such as schistosomiasis and leishmaniasis, work on the develop ment of vaccines for onchocerciasis and LF has been constrained because of the difficulties of producing cyclical and patent filarial infection in lab oratory mice. Wolfgang Hoffmann and colleagues here outline the opportuniti es presented by the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis for filarial re search.