Editorial: Vaccines against parasitic infections in domestic animals

Parasitic infections are responsible for relevant diseases in domestic animals, 19 including pets and livestock. These infections, caused by protozoans, arthropods, and 20 helminths, may lead to huge economic losses, together with zoonotic potential from several 21 of them. It is estimated that more than 75% of human diseases have an animal origin, and 22 parasites contribute to this high prevalence (1). Currently, parasite control is done mainly by 23 chemical agents, which can damage the environment, leave drug residues in animal products, 24 and contributes to the emergence of resistant parasites. Thus, worldwide scientists have 25 invested efforts in developing vaccines to prevent parasitic infections and reduce the adverse 26 effects of chemotherapy.A safe and successful vaccine should induce a long-lasting immune response but also 28 provide protection for the host against other existent strains of the target pathogen (2). The