Lack of resistance to Schistosoma japonicum in mice immunized with irradiated S. mansoni cercariae

Mice immunized with irradiated Schistosoma mansoni cercariae were resistant to challenge with S. mansoni cercariae (mean resistance 53%) but not to challenge with S. japonicum cercariae (mean resistance -5%). Furthermore, the antibodies induced by vaccination with irradiated S. mansoni cercariae were more reactive with S. mansoni than with S. japonicum schistosomula. These results support the concept that the resistance induced by vaccination with irradiated cercariae is immunologically specific.