DESARROLLO DE UNA VACUNA CONTRA LA LEISHMANIASIS TEGUMENTARIA AMERICANA: AVANCES Y PERSPECTIVAS FUTURAS.

GARCÍA BUSTOS, M. F.; BARRIO, A. B.; PARODI, C.; DAVIES, C.; MORA, M. C.; MARCO, J. D.; UNCOS, D. A.; RAMOS, F.; BASOMBRÍO, M. A.

Anales de la Fundación Alberto J. Roemmers - Volumen XXI

Fundación Alberto J. Roemmers

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2007;

The American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) is a disease both endemic and epidemic in the province of Salta, Argentina. Among its numerous complications, the most important is the mucosal compromise which in some cases constitutes a life threat. First line drugs for ATL treatment are the pentavalent antimonials, which produce a wide range of side-effects. Therefore, new prophylaxis attempts are justified and needed. Previous work carried out in our laboratory, as well as many other studies elsewhere both in murine models and in human patients, show encouraging results. Our laboratory started to produce an immunizing antigen composed by heat-inactivated Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes, used in combination with BCG as adjuvant and inducer of Th1 response. After its fabrication, the antigen was tested for parasitological viability, bacteriological sterility, and toxicity to ensure its safety. Samples of the immunizing antigen were also analyzed by gel electrophoresis to test the integrity of the vaccine’s proteic content. Kinetic tests of heat-inactivation were carried out to explore the security range during the pasteurization process. The first assays of immunoprophylaxis were carried out in mice, which showed statistically significant protection at one of the explored doses. Dr. Jacinto Convit, who works at the Instituto de Biomedicina (Caracas, Venezuela), is the pioneer of this study and has been using this antigen for treatment of ATL since 1980, in more than 15000 patients. The cure rates obtained were not different from those of conventional treatment, turning the immunizing antigen into a safe and efficient treatment alternative. Considering this favourable results, the vaccine described here could be used not only for treatment, but also for ATL prophylaxis.