Hypersensitivity to parasite proteolytic enzyme in schistosomiasis
Senft, A.W.; Maddison, S.E.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 24(1): 83-89
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 1111360 Document Number: 86625
A proteolytic enzyme which hydrolyses haemoglobin was obtained from the supernatant fraction of homogenized Schistosoma mansoni. This enzyme elicited histaminic skin reactions in man and various animals infected with S. mansoni. It failed to induce reactions in monkeys harbouring S. haematobium, S. japonicum, or S. intercalatum. In a preliminary field trial in the Caribbean, the skin test proved to be somewhat less sensitive than the customarily used extract of adult worms in Coca's solution. However, the enzyme appeared to induce fewer false positive reactions and delayed responses than did the Coca's extract. A new diagnostic test for schistosomiasis by using specific parasite enzymes against which the host has become sensitized in the course of infection seems possible. [AS].