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Vaccination of dogs with Trypanosoma rangeli induces antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi in a rural area of Córdoba, Argentina
Basso, Beatriz; Marini, Vanina; Gauna, Diego & Frias, Maria
Abstract
Dogs play a major role in the domestic cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, acting as reservoirs. In a previous work we
have developed a model of vaccination of dogs in captivity with nonpathogenic Trypanosoma rangeli epimastigotes,
resulting in the production of protective antibodies against T. cruzi, with dramatic decrease of parasitaemia upon
challenge with 100,000 virulent forms of this parasite. The aim of this work was to evaluate the immunogenicity of
this vaccine in dogs living in a rural area. Domestic dogs, free from T. cruzi infection, received three immunisations
with fixed T. rangeli epimastigotes. Dogs were not challenged with T. cruzi, but they were left in their environment.
This immunisation induced antibodies against T. cruzi for more than three years in dogs in their natural habitat,
while control dogs remained serologically negative.
Keywords
Chagas disease; vaccinated dogs; Trypanosoma rangeli; Trypanosoma cruzi
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