Aim: To determine the protective effect of leishmanial surface antigens against experimental visceral leishmaniasis in Lagurus lagurus caused by Leishmania infantum.
Methods: Recombinant surface protein (rGP63) and lipophosphoglycan (LPG) of Leishmania were used with Corinebacterium parum vaccine as ajuvant to immunize Lagurus lagurus against a challenge with virulent strain of Leishmania infantum. The efficacy of immunoprotection was observed.
Results: When challenged with up to 2 x 10(7) promastigotes, the number of LD on the liver printing sections in the rGP63 + LPG + CP immunised animals was significantly decreased, the parasite reduction rate being 89.79%. LPG + CP gave a parasite reduction rate of 60.6% and rGP63/beta-galactosidase fusion protein + CP showed a parasite reduction rate of 42.45%. Purified rGP63 showed no protection. Immunization with rGP63 + LPG + CP followed by challenge inifection with 1 x 10(6), 5 x 10(6) and 1 x 10(7) promastigotes also showed significantly reduced infection rates.
Conclusion: A combination of rGP63 + LPG + CP antigens could provide significant immunoprotection against L. infantum challenge in L. lagurus.