In-silico design of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Strongyloides stercoralis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted helminth causing strongyloidiasis, mainly affecting impoverished populations in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite its high global prevalence, affecting an estimated 613.9 million people, it remains neglected in public health initiatives. Current treatments, including albendazole and ivermectin, show variable efficacy and face potential resistance, making vaccine development critical for long-term control and achieving WHO targets. METHODS: We employed an immunoinformatics approach to design a multi-epitope vaccine candidate by combining B-cell and T-cell epitopes from key L3-stage proteins involved in S. stercoralis infection. In addition, interactions with TLR4 were implemented to assess the vaccine’s ability to elicit an innate immune response. RESULTS: The selected proteins exhibited strong conservation, suggesting potential cross-protection across Strongyloides strains. The vaccine candidate was predicted to be antigenic, non-allergenic, and immunogenic, with immune simulation demonstrating robust activation of humoral and cellular immune responses. Extensive HLA coverage analysis indicated broad population applicability. Additionally, protein–protein docking and normal-mode analyses indicated efficient binding and stable interaction of the vaccine candidate with TLR4. CONCLUSION: This study provides a promising approach to designing multi-epitope vaccines against S. stercoralis designed through integrative immunoinformatics. Overall, the designed vaccine candidate demonstrated immunogenicity and safety features that warrant further experimental validation in vitro and in vivo. These findings lay important groundwork for future vaccine development aimed at improving the prevention and control of strongyloidiasis globally.