Preliminary Study on the Safety of a New Vaccine Against Canine Babesiosis Containing Soluble Parasitic Antigen (SPA)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the safety of a new vaccine, containing soluble parasitic antigen (SPA), against canine babesiosis. Fifteen dogs were included in the experiment. Five controls received only the adjuvant and 10 dogs were vaccinated with Babesia canis canis SPA twice, at a two weeks interval. For the whole period of the study all animals were under constant clinical observation. Haematological and biochemical tests were performed. Flu-like symptoms and local reactions at the injection site were observed in three animals from the vaccinated group and in two dogs from the control group. These events were transient, receded spontaneously and did not require any appropriate treatment. In 50% of the vaccinated dogs, a slight and spontaneously receding thrombocytopenia developed. However, in none of the animals used in the experiment shock symptoms were observed. Administration of the SPA did not affect the functions of internal organs, which was confirmed by normal results of biochemical tests. The obtained Babesia canis SPA can be considered safe and well tolerated by dogs, and therefore it can be used in further studies on the immunisation of animals against babesiosis.

Application the mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF technique for detection of Babesia canis canis infection in dogs

“…The fraction appeared to be strongly immunogenic, which was confirmed in Western blot tests. It was the proteins of 51–52 kDa that caused the strongest reaction with serum samples obtained from the dogs vaccinated with SPA (Adaszek et al 2012a , b ). Considering the above, it may be inferred that these proteins are released into a dog’s serum by the protozoa after infection and they result in a signal in the infected dogs’ serum, which may then be treated as a disease marker.…”

Quantitative Changes in Selected Lymphocyte Subpopulations after Administration of a Soluble Parasitic Antigen of Babesia Canis to Dogs

“…Studies on the use of soluble parasite antigens (SPA) from plasma of Babesia-infected animals or derived from in vitro cultures of Babesia organisms in immunoprophylaxis of babesiosis have been in progress for quite some time (5,15,16,(22)(23)(24). Early observations showed that vaccinations with SPA protected dogs against the development of a critical pathological process characterised by a decrease in packed cell volumes and retention of infected erythrocytes in the microvasculature (18).…”