ABSTRACT
DNA from a genomic library of Leishmania amazonensis and from pcDNA3 plasmid were used to immunize BALB/c mice. Three immunizations at two weeks intervals were done, with 50µg/0.1ml of DNA. A control group was also injected with the same volume of saline solution. Afterward, all mice were challenged with infective promastigotes of the parasite, and the development of lesions was followed during 16 weeks by dorsoventral measures of the footpad. Mice previously immunized with the genomic library were capable of controlling lesions at a significant level, with major significance between 9 and 13 weeks post challenge.
Subject(s)
Humans , Vaccines, DNA , Leishmania , Genomic LibraryABSTRACT
A genomic expression library of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) was made using plasmid pcDNA3 as a vector, with which male mice from the Balb/c isogenic line were intramuscullary inoculated. It was used a positive control group that was administered soluble antigens of T. cruzi. Other 2 groups received genomic and plasmid DNA, respectively. One group was not immunized. Weekly blood samples were obtained from all the animals until the fourth week and 2 weeks after reimmunization to study the response of specific antibodies against the microorganism antigens by an indirect immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). It was observed a significant increase of specific antibodies in the animals reimmunized with 50 micrograms of the library, as well as in the group immunized with soluble antigens of T. cruzi.