Vaccine antigens against fasciolosis in ruminants: a systematic review of antigen candidates, study characteristics, outcome measures, and reporting quality in cattle, sheep, and goats
5 affiliations
- 1Cellular Biology Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ-PR)
- 2Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases (LAPAR-CAV-UDESC), Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agroveterinary Sciences Center, Santa Catarina State University
- 3Auditora Fiscal Federal Agropecuária do Ministério da Agricultura Pecuária e Abastecimento
- 4Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Programa de Pós-graduação Ciências da Saúde
- 5Graduate Program in Animal Science, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná
Abstract
The trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica exhibit a broad host range, infecting various mammalian species, including sheep, cattle, and, sporadically, humans. In cattle, fasciolosis constitutes a significant economic concern, often resulting in chronic and subclinical infections. Economic losses stem from liver condemnation and reduced weight gain in beef steers. Current disease control strategies include chemotherapy, livestock management practices, environmental measures to reduce intermediate host populations, and the development of vaccines for definitive hosts. Several antigens have been evaluated for their immunogenic potential in vaccine development against Fasciola species, including recombinant cathepsin 1 from F. hepatica (r Fh CL1) and recombinant fatty acid binding protein from F. gigantica (r Fg FABP), which have demonstrated promising immunogenic responses in cattle, sheep, and goats and can be candidates for a vaccine. It is important to thoroughly review the literature to identify studies that have tested various antigens in vaccine formulations against F. hepatica and F. gigantica , as this knowledge is crucial for advancing effective immunoprophylactic strategies. This systematic review identified the main antigen candidates, described the characteristics and outcome measures of the included studies, and assessed the reporting quality of studies evaluating vaccines against F. hepatica and F. gigantica in cattle, sheep, and goats. The review protocol was retrospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF). The search employed multiple databases using defined keywords related to fasciolosis, immunization, and host species. Studies were screened and data extracted independently by two reviewers to minimize bias, with disagreements resolved by consensus with a third researcher. Methodological quality was appraised using the CONSORT checklist adapted from randomized controlled trials. The review included 37 studies evaluating vaccines against F. hepatica and 7 evaluating vaccines against F. gigantica in cattle, sheep, and goats. The most prevalent antigens included r Fh CL1 (10 studies for F. hepatica , of which four evaluated it as a single immunogen) and r Fg FABP (3 studies for F. gigantica ). Overall, the included studies demonstrated suboptimal reporting quality. In conclusion, this systematic review identified r Fh CL1 and r Fg FABP as the most frequently evaluated antigens against F. hepatica and F. gigantica , respectively, across cattle, sheep and goats. Advancements in experimental models and improved study designs are imperative to clarify immune correlates of protection, optimize vaccine candidates, and ultimately enhance fasciolosis control in cattle, sheep and goats.
Related
- Saline drinking water effect on physiological, metabolic, and productive performances of ruminants in arid and semi-arid regions: a systematic review
- Where the fluke meets the snail: climate, ensemble models, and fasciolosis risk in Ukraine
- Que sait-on du rôle des tiques dans la transmission de la fièvre Q aux ruminants ?
- Genomic insight into the antibiotic-resistant determinants of Escherichia coli from small ruminants and manure in North West Province, South Africa
- Fracture characteristics and outcomes in osteogenesis imperfecta: A systematic review.
BibTeX
@article{drescher2026vaccine,
title = {{Vaccine antigens against fasciolosis in ruminants: a systematic review of antigen candidates, study characteristics, outcome measures, and reporting quality in cattle, sheep, and goats}},
author = {Guilherme Drescher and Larissa Americo and Tassia Cristina Bello de Vasconcelos and Vinícius Silva Belo and Michail Moroz and Fabiano Borges Figueiredo},
journal = {Frontiers in Immunology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2026.1952671},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1952671/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Vaccine antigens against fasciolosis in ruminants: a systematic review of antigen candidates, study characteristics, outcome measures, and reporting quality in cattle, sheep, and goats
AU - Guilherme Drescher
AU - Larissa Americo
AU - Tassia Cristina Bello de Vasconcelos
AU - Vinícius Silva Belo
AU - Michail Moroz
AU - Fabiano Borges Figueiredo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Frontiers in Immunology
DO - 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1952671
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1952671/full
AB - The trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica exhibit a broad host range, infecting various mammalian species, including sheep, cattle, and, sporadically, humans. In cattle, fasciolosis constitutes a significant economic concern, often resulting in chronic and subclinical infections. Economic losses stem from liver condemnation and reduced weight gain in beef steers. Current disease control strategies include chemotherapy, livestock management practices, environmental measures to reduce intermediate host populations, and the development of vaccines for definitive hosts. Several antigens have been evaluated for their immunogenic potential in vaccine development against Fasciola species, including recombinant cathepsin 1 from F. hepatica (r Fh CL1) and recombinant fatty acid binding protein from F. gigantica (r Fg FABP), which have demonstrated promising immunogenic responses in cattle, sheep, and goats and can be candidates for a vaccine. It is important to thoroughly review the literature to identify studies that have tested various antigens in vaccine formulations against F. hepatica and F. gigantica , as this knowledge is crucial for advancing effective immunoprophylactic strategies. This systematic review identified the main antigen candidates, described the characteristics and outcome measures of the included studies, and assessed the reporting quality of studies evaluating vaccines against F. hepatica and F. gigantica in cattle, sheep, and goats. The review protocol was retrospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF). The search employed multiple databases using defined keywords related to fasciolosis, immunization, and host species. Studies were screened and data extracted independently by two reviewers to minimize bias, with disagreements resolved by consensus with a third researcher. Methodological quality was appraised using the CONSORT checklist adapted from randomized controlled trials. The review included 37 studies evaluating vaccines against F. hepatica and 7 evaluating vaccines against F. gigantica in cattle, sheep, and goats. The most prevalent antigens included r Fh CL1 (10 studies for F. hepatica , of which four evaluated it as a single immunogen) and r Fg FABP (3 studies for F. gigantica ). Overall, the included studies demonstrated suboptimal reporting quality. In conclusion, this systematic review identified r Fh CL1 and r Fg FABP as the most frequently evaluated antigens against F. hepatica and F. gigantica , respectively, across cattle, sheep and goats. Advancements in experimental models and improved study designs are imperative to clarify immune correlates of protection, optimize vaccine candidates, and ultimately enhance fasciolosis control in cattle, sheep and goats.
SN - 1664-3224
ER -