Successful vaccination of BALB/c mice against human hookworm ( Necatoramericanus): the immunological phenotype of the protective response

In this murine (BALB/c) model of necatoriasis, high levels of protection against challenge infection by Necator americanus larvae ( n=300) were afforded by successive vaccinations at 14-day intervals, either subcutaneously or percutaneously, with γ-irradiated N. americanus larvae ( n=300). Percutaneous vaccination was significantly more effective than the subcutaneous route, with pulmonary larval burdens at 3 days post-infection being reduced by 97.8 vs. 89.3%, respectively, after three immunisations ( P