Ciencia y tecnología veterinaria

Review on Current Status of Vaccines against Parasitic Diseases of Animals

Abstract

Bedaso Kebede, Teshale Sori and Bersissa Kumssa

Parasitic diseases are one of the most common problems that confront the health and productivity of animals worldwide. Parasites are responsible for organ condemnation, zoonoses and huge economic losses in animal production. Various control methods have been implemented to minimize or curb losses caused by parasitic diseases. Chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis are the most widely used control approaches all over the world. However, development of drug resistance, high price of the drugs, unavailability and growing concern about drug residues hinder the success of this approach. Vaccination is regarded as one of the best alternative method for the control of parasites in the future. In an attempt of to develop commercial vaccines against economically important parasites researchers have so far focused on identifying target antigens. Some of these include ticks salivary gland antigens, secretory and excretory antigens of helminthes and hidden antigens of Heamonchus contortus. As a result of this effort several candidate antigens have been identified, vaccines prepared from them and tested for their suitability and efficacy. However, most of these vaccines have not been widely utilized. Information about the regulations and standard operating procedures that apply to licensing of production and marketing of parasite vaccines is scanty. Therefore, the objective of this article is to review the current status of vaccines against parasitic diseases of animals.