NOVEL PEPTIDE SEQUENCES FROM THE PARASITE ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS FOR PRODUCING ANTI- CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS VACCINE

摘要

Echinococcus granulosus is a parasite which infects humans and animals and causes the disease Cystic echinococcosis. It causes the formation of ˜cysts™ in humans (mainly in liver and lungs), which has serious physiological repercussions and if left untreated, can be fatal. Treatment is very expensive, involving surgery or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has limitations of toxicity beyond a particular level and also ineffectiveness at times. In this context, the present invention discloses novel peptide sequences which are specific for the parasite and can be used for development of vaccines for prevention and treatment of the disease. 6 novel sequences of just 15 amino acids each, from Tsp-1 (Tetraspanin-1) antigen and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) receptor antigen of Echinococcus granulosus are disclosed. (Table 1 and Table 2).