Onset and duration of immunity against Babesia canis infection in dogs vaccinated with antigens from culture supernatants

It has previously been shown that dogs can be vaccinated against heterologous Babesia canis infection using a vaccine containing soluble parasite antigens (SPA) from in vitro cultures of B. canis and B. rossi that are adjuvanted with saponin. In the present study the onset and duration of immunity of vaccinated dogs were studied. Results showed that 3–26 weeks after initial vaccination, dogs effectively limit the level of SPA in plasma upon challenge infection, which was reflected in limited duration and extent of clinical manifestations. There was no statistically significant effect of vaccination on the parasite load in the circulation, which was determined from blood smears. It was further shown that the level of immunity of primary vaccinated dogs (priming and booster vaccination with a 6-week interval) and that of repeatedly vaccinated dogs (a single additional vaccination 6 months after primary vaccination) is comparable. From this study it is concluded that vaccination with this preparation induces protective immunity against clinical babesiosis from 3 weeks after booster vaccination onwards, and remains effective for a period of at least another 6 months. A single booster vaccination is sufficient to maintain immunity for at least another 6 months.