Characterization of Glossina pallidipes midgut proteins as vaccine candidate(s) for Human African Trypanosomosis

Abstract

There are currently no vaccines available against trypanosomosis and vector management as an option has problems with sustainability. Anti-vector and transmission blocking vaccine development is thus a novel strategy against vector borne diseases. Vaccines that target blood-feeding disease vectors, such as tsetse flies, mosquitoes and ticks, have the potential to protect against the many diseases caused by vector-borne pathogens. Vaccines developed against midgut proteins have been shown to reduce the fecundity of flies feeding on immunized animals. Midgut proteins isolated from the midgut of Glossina pallidipes were used to immunize rabbits and their efficacy as vaccine candidate(s) against the tsetse fly, and their potential to block transmission of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense assessed.