Parasite vaccines – recent progress and problems associated with their development

Abstract

The treatment and prevention of parasitism in both humans and livestock continues to rely almost exclusively on the use of antiparasitic drugs – an approach which has limitations, particularly as reinfection, which occurs rapidly in endemic regions, is not prevented. In addition, the widespread appearance of drug-resistant parasites of animals (Kaplan, 2004;) together with emerging evidence of resistance problems in human parasites (Fallonet al. 1995; Ismailet al. 1996; De Clerqet al. 1997; East African Network for Monitoring Antimalarial Treatment, 2003), emphasise the importance of developing alternative methods of control, with anti-parasite vaccines a prime target.