Protection against Amoebic Liver Abscess in Hamster by Intramuscular Immunization with an Autographa californica Baculovirus Driving the Expression of the Gal-Lectin LC3 Fragment

Figure 1

Macroscopical evaluation of protection from ALA challenge in hamsters intramuscularly immunized with Ac-NPV-LC3. Hamsters were IM immunized with baculovirus or PBS and then challenged with virulent E. histolytica trophozoites by intraportal route. After sacrifice, livers were exscinded showing different grades of ALA. Sterile protection ((a) and (b)) and partial protection showing few abscesses (c) or no more than 5 large abscesses usually located in one lobe (d) (yellow arrows) were observed in AcNPV-LC3 and AcNPV-WT immunized animals. Massive abscesses development ((e) and (f)) was mainly observed in hamsters nonimmunized but infected.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)