Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the soil-transmitted helminth Strongyloides stercoralis. We offer a comprehensive suite of services, from diagnostics development to vaccine and therapeutic development, designed to facilitate the advancement of new solutions against strongyloidiasis.
Overview of Strongyloidiasis
Strongyloidiasis, caused by the soil-transmitted helminth Strongyloides stercoralis, is a parasitic infection prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, impacting an estimated 614 million individuals worldwide. This disease holds a distinct classification as one of the most neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) due to its persistent nature and the grave risks it presents, particularly to those with compromised immune systems. The unique autoinfective lifecycle of S. stercoralis enables larvae to invade the intestinal mucosa, triggering a spectrum of symptoms that can escalate to critical conditions like hyperinfection and disseminated strongyloidiasis.
Fig.1 The life cycle of strongyloides. (Varatharajalu R., et al., 2016)
Vaccine Development for Strongyloidiasis
The development of a strongyloidiasis vaccine requires the identification of immunogenic antigens that can elicit a protective immune response. Various strategies have been employed to identify such antigens, including the use of:
- Deoxycholic Acid-Soluble Antigens (DOC-Ag): Derived from Strongyloides stercoralis larvae, these antigens have been shown to induce protective immunity in murine models.
- Recombinant Proteins: Examples include the Ss-IR antigen, a recombinant protein that demonstrated an approximately 80% reduction in larval survival in vaccinated mice.
- DNA Vaccines: Such as the Sseat-6 gene product, which showed a 35% reduction in larval survival post-vaccination.
Table 1. Vaccines and passive immunization approaches for Strongyloides stercoralis. (Levenhagen M. A., et al., 2016)
| Description |
Characterization |
Delivery |
Strongyloides challenge strain |
Mouse strain |
Immune Response |
Targets of Protective immunity |
DNA vaccine
DNA immunization
(Sseat-6 gene) |
Strongyloides stercoralis Na+K+ATPase, a 34 kDa antigen from DOC-Ag recognized by human IgG in Immunoblotting and Sequencing |
Plasmid containing GM-CSF (granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor) sequence |
Strongyloides stercoralis L3i in diffusion chambers |
Female BALB/cJ mice 6-8 weeks of age |
Antibody can partially mediate larval killing and the role of cells in the killing process was not clear |
35% of reduction in larval survival |
| Recombinant vaccinesSs-IR (S. stercoralis immune-reactive antigen) |
Recombinant Strongyloides stercoralis antigen of ~31 kDa highly immunogenic in humans |
1:10 rehydragel (alum) in PBS |
Strongyloides stercoralis L3i in diffusion chambers |
Male BALB/cByJ mice 6-8 weeks of age |
ADCC based mechanism |
80% of reduction in larval survival |
Therapeutics Development for Strongyloidiasis
As a semi-synthetic derivative of avermectin, ivermectin is the first-line therapeutics for strongyloidiasis with an efficacy of about 86%. It acts by binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels in helminths, leading to paralysis and death of the parasite.
Though less effective than ivermectin, albendazole is considered a second-line therapeutics, particularly when ivermectin is not an option.
This macrocyclic lactone has shown promise as an alternative to ivermectin, with a cure rate of 94% in a trial against Strongyloides stercoralis.
Our Services
Developing vaccines and therapeutics for strongyloidiasis requires a multidisciplinary approach, and our company brings together expertise in immunology, parasitology, and biopharmaceuticals to provide comprehensive services in vaccine and therapeutic development, including:
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Disease Models
- hRSV Infection Models
- hRSV A2 Infection Models
- hRSV M37 Infection Models
- Macaque-adapted hRSV Infection Models
- Clinical Isolate hRSV Infection Models
In addition, we also provide the following optional services, including but not limited to:
- In Vitro Antigen Screening: Utilizing advanced bioinformatics tools to predict and analyze potential antigens.
- Molecular Cloning and Expression: Cloning and expression of potential vaccine antigens in suitable systems.
- Protein Purification and Characterization: Ensuring the quality and purity of antigens for vaccine development.
- Drug Screening and Optimization: Screening libraries of compounds for activity against Strongyloides stercoralis and optimizing lead candidates.
If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Varatharajalu Ravi, and Kakuturu V. Rao. "Strongyloides stercoralis: current perspectives." Reports in Parasitology (2016): 23-33.
- Levenhagen, Marcelo Arantes, Hélio Conte, and Julia Maria Costa-Cruz. "Current progress toward vaccine and passive immunization approaches for Strongyloides spp." Immunology Letters 180 (2016): 17-23.
- Buonfrate, Dora, et al. "Current pharmacotherapeutic strategies for Strongyloidiasis and the complications in its treatment." Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 23.14 (2022): 1617-1628.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
