Host-parasite relationships of Fasciola hepatica in the white mouse. VIII. Successful vaccination with culture incubate antigens and antigens from sonic disruption of immature worms.

Mice were successfully vaccinated using culture incubate and sonicate antigens from 16-day-old flukes. Various injection schedules using the culture incubate antigen decreased challenge worm counts by 54 to 86%. The best results were achieved when the culture incubate was injected at 12 and 24 hr of incubation. Host mortality in the natural immunity controls ranged from 33 to 42%, and in the vaccinated animals from 12.5 to 25%. Functional antigens were present by 12 hr of incubation. A single immunizing injection with the sonicate antigen decreased challenge worm counts by 86%. Two immunizing injections with this antigen decreased challenge worm counts by 82%. However, the pathologic process in the liver was more severe than in animals that received a single injection.