STUDY OF IMMUNOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES IN SCHISTOSOMA I . HAEMATOBIUM IN EGYPT IN RELATION TO I ' AGE AND INFECTION INTENSITY

Abstract

Serum to al IgG, its subclasses IgG1 and lgG4, total IgE, SEA specific IgM and lgG were measured in 147 belharzial patients (87 chi[dren and 60 adults), in addition to 60 controls (40 children andl2o adults).

The meJ values of total IgG and its subclasses IgG 1 and IgG4 in treated! adult belharzial patients (2972 mg/dl & 2277 mg/dl & 668 iligJdl respectively) were significantly increased (p<O.001) as bompared to untreated and treated belharzial children. The /untreated and treated mild aged (11-14 y.) belharzial children had significantly higher total IgE (346 I IU/ml & 322 IUJ/ml respectively) (p<O.OOl) as compared to the other studied gr0ups.

Specific Ifor SEA was high significantly increased in

untreated and

' treate I

d mi1d aged belharzial children (Am.x: 0.90

& 0.95 respectively) (p<O.OOl) as compared to the untreated And treated ydung aged (8-10 y.) belharzial children (Am.x: 0.67 & 0.60 re pectively) than untreated and treated belharzial I adults (Am.x: G.28 & 0.49 respectively). The untreated and treated belharzlal adults were significantly higher in specific \ I lgG for SEA (Anu.x: 0.57 & 0.69 respectively) (p<O.OOl) than untreated and treated belharzial children. The mean value of I a1-microglobulin and GST activity were significantly high in all belharzial patient groups as compared with their matched control groups. I .

In our work, it can be concluded that the development of the immune s stem increases with age, since younger children are susceptible! to infection more than adults (specific IgM to SEA was hig er in children than adults). Also IgE levels were increased withl age (maximum in age 10-14 years old). This study also revealed that IgG4 levels increase with age and well correlated withlintensity of infection.