The study of the immune responses in patients with uncomplicated urinary schistosomiasis
El-Hawey, A.M.; Abdel-Wahab, K.S.; Saber, M.A.
Journal of the Egyptian Medical Association 61(3-4): 253-262
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0013-2411 PMID: 556281 Document Number: 128159
The immune responses were studied in 20 patients with uncomplicated urinary schistosomiasis and 10 non-infected controls. All infected patients had positive immediate skin test reactions whereas only 45% had positive delayed skin test reactions. The cell-mediated immune response, as measured by the phytohaemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte-lymphoblast transformation rate and tuberculine reactivity, were the same in infected and control groups. Serum immunoglobulin studies showed higher levels of IgG, IgA and IgE than in controls. Niridazole (25 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days) had no effect on immuneglobulin levels but within one to 4 months the cell-mediated immune response was significantly reduced. Eosinophil counts were raised one month after treatment but declined 3 months later.