Abstract
The aims of the present study were to investigate the immunoprotection of recombinant Echinococcus granulosus myophilin (rEg.myophilin) against the establishment of a challenge oral infection with E. granulosus eggs, as well as to determine the mechanisms underlying this protection. Sheep were subcutaneously immunized two times with rEg.myophilin, followed by the challenge with E. granulosus eggs orally. The animals were sacrificed 44 weeks after infection and the immunoglobulin (Ig) and cytokine levels were analyzed using ELISA. The results identified significant changes in several indexes of animal immune response subsequent to immunization with rEg.myophilin. These changes included reduced number of formed cysts, as well as elevated levels of IgG, IgA and cytokines. The present data suggest that immunization with rEg.myophilin in sheep can successfully reduce the formation of cysts caused by challenge E. granulosus infection and stimulate immune response, suggesting that rEg.myophilin a has potential value as a candidate vaccine against E. granulosus.