The F1F3 recombinant chimera induced higher vaccine efficacy than its independent F1 and F3 components against Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi mice infection

The F1F3 chimera, as described for the heterologous CL infections, also optimizes protection against the homologous visceral leishmaniasis infection by <i>L. (L.) infantum chagasi</i>, by a Th1 contribution from the F3 peptide and a regulatory response from the F1 peptide. Expression of the F1 and F3 domains <i>in tandem</i> induced higher efficacy than the simple mixture of the F1 and F3 domains.