DNA vaccination with the serine rich Entamoeba histolytica protein (SREHP) prevents amebic liver abscess in rodent models of disease.

Amebiasis remains one of the leading parasitic causes of death worldwide. A vaccine that prevented amebic liver abscess would significantly reduce mortality from this disease. To test the feasibility of a DNA vaccine to prevent amebic liver abscess, we immunized both mice and gerbils with plasmid DNA encoding the serine rich Entamoeba histolytica protein (SREHP). Animals receiving the SREHP DNA vaccine developed both antibody and cell mediated immune responses that recognized amebic trophozoites. A single dose of the SREHP DNA vaccine protected 80% of vaccinated mice and 60% of vaccinated gerbils from developing amebic liver abscess after direct hepatic inoculation of amebic trophozoites. Our study indicates that DNA vaccination with SREHP can provide high levels of protection against amebic liver abscess in animal models of disease.