Protective effect against toxoplasmosis in mice induced by DNA immunization with gene encoding Toxoplasma gondii ROP18

► A DNA vaccine pVAX-ROP18 expressing T. gondii ROP18 was constructed. ► Mice immunized with this DNA vaccine showed significantly increased survival time. ► pVAX-ROP18 enhanced the T. gondii-specific CTL and Th1 responses. ► T. gondii ROP18 is a promising vaccine candidate against animal toxoplasmosis.