Biochemistry of irradiated parasite vaccines: suggested models for their mode of action.

Irradiated larvae of a remarkably wide range of parasite species induce potent protective immunity against subsequent challenge of experimental hosts. Ann Wales and John Kusel have studied the irradiated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and suggest here that the effects of irradiation on conformation and presentation of parasite antigens may be crucial in enhancing parasite immunogenicity so effectively.