Toxoplasma gondii
has a very wide intermediate host range and is thought to be able to infect all warm blooded
animals. The parasite causes a spectrum of different diseases and clinical symptoms within the intermediate hosts
and following infection most animals develop adaptive humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. The development
of protective immunity to
T. gondii following natural infection in many host species has led researchers to look
at vaccination as a strategy to control disease, parasite multiplication and establishment in animal hosts. A range
of different veterinary vaccines are required to help control
T. gondii infection which include vaccines to prevent
congenital toxoplasmosis, reduce or eliminate tissue cysts in meat producing animals and to prevent oocyst shedding
in cats. In this paper we will discuss some of the history, challenges and progress in the development of veterinary
vaccines against
T. gondii.