TOXPOX

Prevention of zoonotic tissue cyst formation in sheep using live attenuated and parapoxvirus vector based vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Toxoplasmosis is among the most important foodborne infections worldwide. In the EU, most human infections are due to consumption of meat containing Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts. Prevalence of Toxoplasma is higher in outdoor reared animals, such as sheep, than in animals reared indoors, and consumer interest in animal welfare and free-range meat production may contribute to a further increase in the prevalence of Toxoplasma unless control measures are implemented. Vaccination of consumption animals to prevent Toxoplasma infection and tissue cyst formation could be highly effective in reducing the disease burden in humans. The only commercially available vaccine against toxoplasmosis in sheep, Toxovax, prevents congenital disease in lambs but the effect of vaccination on tissue cyst development has not been studied. Toxovax uses a live attenuated strain of T. gondii and there may be a risk of the vaccine strain reverting back to wild-type and causing disease in animals or humans. We propose to develop a safer vaccine strategy based on a recombinant parapox-virus expressing Toxoplasma antigens (TOXPOX). We will compare efficacy of TOXPOX and Toxovax in the induction of a protective immune response and the prevention of tissue cyst development using advanced immunological and molecular methods which reduce the need for use of experimental animals. A safe vaccine effective in preventing the formation of zoonotic tissue cysts in sheep is our ultimate goal. The specialized laboratory and animal facilities at Moredun and the host expertise in parasitology, virology and immunology provide the best possible infrastructure and mentoring environment to bring this project to a success. Working on this multidisciplinary project in combination with complementary skills training offered at Moredun and its affiliated organizations in the Easter Bush Research Consortium will be of indispensable value to the applicant’s career progression.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Toxoplasmosis is a leading cause of death attributed to foodborne illness. As one of the neglected parasitic infections , it has recently been targeted for public health action.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (TG). Up to a third of the world's human population carries a Toxoplasma infection. In the EU, most human infections are due to consumption of meat containing TG tissue cysts. Vaccination of food animals to prevent Toxoplasma cyst formation would be highly effective in reducing the disease burden in humans.

The EU-funded TOXPOX project aimed to develop a vaccine using selected TG antigens and explore the efficacy of delivering the vaccine using viral vectors. The project focused on testing recombinant virus vectors to deliver TG antigens in vivo to stimulate specific protective immune responses.

The project achieved the successful construction and preparation of recombinant viral constructs using both pox viruses and lentiviruses expressing selected TG antigens. Immunisation of mice with the recombinant vectors resulted in induction of specific antibody responses. These results proved that the approach is efficient and is worth pursuing to produce a new vaccine against TG tissue cysts in food animals.

The only commercially available vaccine against toxoplasmosis, Toxovax, prevents congenital disease in lambs. Toxovax uses live attenuated strain of TG and carries the risk of reversion back to wild-type that can affect both animals and humans. TOXPOX developed a safer vaccine strategy based on a recombinant virus expressing Toxoplasma antigens.