Fasciola gigantica, causative agent of tropical
fasciolosis, inflicts substantial economic losses on the
livestock industry, affecting severely buffalo productivity
in the tropical countries. Very few vaccination trials with
different target antigens against F. gigantica infection have
been conducted in this host. Present study describes a
vaccination trial in buffaloes with F. gigantica recombinant
glutathione S-transferase and fatty acid binding protein.
The two recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia
coli and evaluated for their immunoprophylactic
potential in buffalo calves, using montanide 70 M-VG, a
mineral oil-based adjuvant, for delivering the antigens.
Buffalo calves were distributed in three groups, with group
I, II and III calves immunized with recombinant glutathione
S-transferase, fatty acid binding protein and a cocktail of
these two antigens, respectively. Immunization of the calves
evoked a mixed IgG1 and IgG2 antibody response. Present
vaccination trial in these animals achieved a maximum
protection level of 35%, when the two antigens were used
in combination. Eosinophils were measured in both
immunized and non-immunized challenge control animals,
which showed a steady increase in their count in response
to immunization with both the antigens and infection with
F. gigantica, respectively.