Immunity to Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in mice and the induction of cross-protection with O. lienalis.

Inbred CBA/Ca mice were vaccinated with Onchocerca volvulus or Onchocerca lienalis microfilariae (mf) and challenged 100 days later with the homologous or heterologous parasite. There was a major reduction in mf recoveries from immunised animals compared with controls when the sensitising and challenge infections were both of O. volvulus mf. Resistance was manifest within one week of challenge, and rose from an 87% reduction in recoveries on day 7 to a 96% reduction on day 15. Similar results were obtained for homologous sensitising and challenge infections with O. lienalis mf. Protection afforded by sensitisation with the heterologous parasite was also high, although the expression of resistance appeared to be delayed. Vaccination with O. lienalis mf led to a 45% level of cross-protection against O. volvulus at 7 days after challenge, which rose to 94% by day 15. Vaccination with O. volvulus mf stimulated cross-protection against O. lienalis at levels of 49% and 80% as measured 7 and 15 days after challenge. It is concluded that the mouse model may be of value in analysing immune responses directed against O. volvulus mf and that the cross-protection between Onchocerca species is an advantage that should be exploited in characterising the antigens involved.