Advances and challenges towards a vaccine against Chagas disease

Hum Vaccin. 2011 Nov;7(11):1184-91. doi: 10.4161/hv.7.11.17016. Epub 2011 Nov 1.

Abstract

Chagas disease is major public health problem, affecting nearly 10 million people, characterized by cardiac alterations leading to congestive heart failure and death of 20-40% of the patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite responsible for the disease. A vaccine would be key to improve disease control and we review here the recent advances and challenges of a T. cruzi vaccine. There is a growing consensus that a protective immune response requires the activation of a Th1 immune profile, with the stimulation of CD8 (+) T cells. Several vacines types, including recombinant proteins, DNA and viral vectors, as well as heterologous prime-boost combinations, have been found immunogenic and protective in mouse models, providing proof-of-concept data on the feasibility of a preventive or therapeutic vaccine to control a T. cruzi infection. However, several challenges such as better end-points, safety issues and trial design need to be addressed for further vaccine development to proceed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chagas Disease / immunology*
  • Chagas Disease / parasitology
  • Chagas Disease / prevention & control*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology
  • Protozoan Vaccines / genetics
  • Protozoan Vaccines / immunology
  • Protozoan Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / immunology*
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Protozoan Vaccines