Indian Immunologicals Ltd.Launches World’s First Vaccine to Fight Against Tapeworms in Pigs

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 19^th October:- Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), the market leader in veterinary biologicals and one of the largest animal & human health players in India, today announced the launch of CYSVAX which is the world’s first vaccine to fight against Tapeworms in pigs. IIL has developed a recombinant porcine (Pigs) Cysticercosis vaccine- CYSVAX for use in pigs which also has the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of epilepsy in humans.

Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease caused by ingesting the eggs of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. It is a zoonotic parasite, involving pigs as intermediate hosts. Humans are usually infected by the ingestion of eggs present in the undercooked pork, vegetables and greens that have been improperly washed.  Cysts that develop in the central nervous system cause Neuro-Cysticercosis (NCC), one of the predominant reasons for epilepsy in humans.

 Open defecation and unhygienic pig rearing are the primary breeding grounds for Tapeworms (T. Solium). Cases of Cysticercosis have been found to occur across India, particularly in the North UPand Northeast states. Prevalence of porcine Cysticercosis as reported from slaughterhouse data ranges from 7% to 12% in all pigs. A recent study in Uttar Pradesh reported a prevalence of 26% in pigs. WHO has designated Cysticercosis as one of the 17 "neglected tropical diseases" worldwide. The Life cycle of a tapeworm (T.Soliumis) is dependent on the link between humans and pigs. Any interruption in this link can result in the elimination of the parasite. Vaccination of pigs can break the parasite's life-cycle and enable in removing the source of infection for humans. The SWACCH BHARAT programme by Government of India will help to eradicate such neglected diseases through a clean environment. The Vaccine along with basic animal hygiene will compliment the efforts of Swacch Bharat.

Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, IIL said that IIL is the largest veterinary vaccine company in India and undertakes the research& development to provide cost effective solutions for various diseases. Seventy percent of the world’s emerging diseases in humans are of animal origin. In line with WHO’s “One Health” (Health of Humans, Animals and Ecosystems are interconnected), CYSVAX will significantly reduce the incidence of Epilepsy in the developing world.

Indian Immunologicals Limited collaborated with Dr.Marshall Lightowlers, University of Melbourne, Australia and GALVmed (Global Alliance for Veterinary medicine) to develop the world’s first vaccine (CYSVAX) against pork tapeworm (T. Solium). IIL obtained license the to manufacture and market this product after conducting extensive field trials in India and many other countries such as Spain, Peru etc. Trials are also underway in Nepal, Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania.