Effect of Immunomodulator Daraprim on Potentiation of Vaccine Protection of Leishmania Major in BALB/c Mice

In this study, a crude leishmanial antigen, was prepared by sonicating Leishmania major promastigotes used to induce immunity in BALB/c mice against cutaneous leishmaniasis. Correlation between the route of antigen injection and the efficacy of induced protection was examined. To enhance the effectiveness of the antigen, an immunostimulant drug, daraprim (pyrimethamine), was administered simultaneously with the antigen. The experiment demonstrated that simultaneous intraperitoneal injection of the antigen and daraprim resulted in protection from subsequent development of cutaneous lesions. Results of lymphocyte proliferation from mice immunized with either the antigen or antigen-daraprim mixture showed a signficant response to the antigen. The results suggest that daraprim can be used in prophylaxis programs to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines for cutaneous leishmaniasis.