Prospective vaccine prepared from a new mutant of Toxoplasma gondii for use in cats

Frenkel, J.K.; Pfefferkorn, E.R.; Smith, D.D.; Fishback, J.L.

Prospective vaccine prepared from a new mutant of Toxoplasma gondii for use in cats

1991

Frenkel, J.K. | Pfefferkorn, E.R. | Smith, D.D. | Fishback, J.L.

Kittens are the principal disseminators of Toxoplasma gondii. They can shed > 10(8) oocysts in the feces after initial infection with bradyzoites in tissue cysts. Thereafter, most kittens develop protective immunity and do not shed oocysts again if they are reinfected. Bradyzoites of a T gondii mutant, designated T-263, were used to vaccinate kittens. Their use did not result in oocyst shedding, but successfully prevented 84% (31/37) of the kittens from shedding oocysts when challenge exposed with a normal isolate of T gondii. Vaccination of outdoor-roaming cats and kittens would be a useful public health measure to prevent transmission of toxoplasmosis near homes, on farms, and in zoos. It is anticipated that several years will be required for a lyophilized bradyzoite vaccine to be ready for licensing and possible commercial availability.

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