A team made up of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Zendal group has developed a recombinant DNA-based vaccine against canine leishmaniasis. This vaccine, the first in mammalian animals and the second in the world with this technology, based on fragments of genetic information that encode immunogens, reduces the presence of the parasite by more than 90% and improves the clinical signs of the disease. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion, which means that the vaccine is ready for immediate marketing and distribution.
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the Leishmania parasite, of the trypanosomatid family, which is carried by the sandfly. The clinical manifestations of the disease range from self-healing skin ulcers to fatal forms in which severe inflammation of the liver and spleen occurs. Each year there are between 500,000 and one million new cases. It is a zoonosis, which means it is transmitted from animals to humans. Dogs are the main reservoir of visceral leishmaniasis and carriers of the parasite in urban environments.
According to the WHO, in recent years, cases of canine and human leishmaniasis have increased in Europe due to climate change and the presence of the sandfly in more northern European countries. It is considered by the WHO as a neglected tropical disease, that is, it is prevalent in tropical areas. It affects more than one billion people in 83 countries, the majority in underdeveloped areas. For this reason, the researchers consider this advance “a milestone to reduce the negative effects of the disease.”
A stable and effective vaccine against canine leishmaniasis
“Compared to other technologies, this new, highly effective vaccine also offers the advantage of being very stable,” says CSIC researcher Vicente Larraga, from the Molecular Parasitology group at the Margarita Salas Biological Research Center (CIB-CSIC), who has led the development. “Following this favorable opinion from the EMA, very significant international support has been obtained for DNA vaccines that can also be used to protect against other infections,” he adds.
“The opinion indicates that the vaccine reduces the risk of infection and the appearance of the disease. This is an important step because the decrease in the number of infected animals significantly reduces the possible transmission to other dogs and to humans, since leishmaniasis also affects humans”, emphasizes Larraga.
This DNA technology vaccine joins the portfolio of vaccines developed and manufactured using different technologies. Andrés Fernández, executive director of Zendal, has shown his satisfaction “for completing this project that has required complex clinical phases because it is a so-called insidious disease. With this international launch, we reinforce our commitment to prevention by expanding the portfolio of vaccines for zoonotic diseases and, specifically, against leishmaniasis, for which there is currently no effective solution on the market”, concludes Fernández.
Dogs most affected by canine leishmaniasis
Canine leishmaniasis affects dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes, but some dogs are at higher risk of contracting the disease than others. Dogs living in endemic areas (where the disease is common) are at higher risk of contracting the disease than dogs living in areas where the disease is rare.
Smaller breed dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Jack Russell Terriers, Maltese, and Bichon Frisees are more likely to develop the disease, due to their size and larger size. susceptible to mosquito bites.
Dogs that live in areas with a hot and humid climate, and that spend most of their time outdoors, are also at higher risk of contracting the disease.
Source: CSIC
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