Immunodiagnosis of nematode infections and prospects for vaccination, with special reference to Trichinella spiralis.

Abstract

Within the phylum Nematoda are species not only responsible for several chronic, debilitating diseases of man, but also for significant economic losses resulting from parasitaemias of livestock. Parasitic zoonoses caused by nematodes, such as trichinosis, present a public health concern as well. In an effort to combat these diseases, much research has been directed towards the development of vaccines that will protect man and animals from selected parasitic infections. Concomitantly, sensitive, reproducible diagnostic assays are required to assess accurately the maturation of a putative protective immune response generated by prophylactic vaccine therapy. This review emphasises studies on the epidemiology and control of Trichinella spiralis in swine as a paradigm for the diagnosis of nematode infections in livestock, and the potential implementation of vaccines in control strategies.