Neutrophil apoptosis in acute and chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection
el-Sharkawy, I.M.; Ibrahim, A.A.; el-Bassuoni, M.A.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology 32(2): 507-516
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 1110-0583 PMID: 12214928 Document Number: 547072
In Egypt, 28 patients with acute S. mansoni infection and 32 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis were enrolled in a study conducted to evaluate apoptosis of neutrophils in acute and chronic schistosomiasis. As controls, 20 healthy subjects were also included. Measurements of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, complement 3 (C3), culture of neutrophils, and assessment of neutrophil apoptosis were done in all patients and control subjects. The results showed that in patients with acute schistosomiasis, a higher percentage of neutrophil apoptosis was found, compared to patients with chronic illness or the control subjects. However, patients with chronic schistosomiasis had the lowest C3 levels as well as the lowest leukocytic count.