ANALYSIS OF ADHESION MOLECULE EXPRESSION IN RESPONSE TO SCHISTOSOMIASIS MANSON!ANTIGENS IN HUMAN

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is one of the major public health problems m Egypt. Protection using a well-defined and efficient vaccine is yet to be attained.

The disease is now being partially controlled using chemotherapy. In The present study, we determined the effect of chemotherapy on the prevalence and intensity of infection, in vitro granuloma formation and ICAM-1 and L-selectin expression in patients with schistosomiasis. Patients with S. mansoni infection were divided according to

previous praziquantil chemotherapy into treated (n=18) and untreated patients (n=34).

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated using ficoll - hypaque and cultured with SEA - coated beads as well as uncoated beads for 24 hrs and 5 days.

PBMCs and IVGCs that were cultured with SEA - coated and uncoated beads• for 24 hr were deposited onto glass slide by cytospin centrifuge. The slides were stained by anti human ICAM-1 FITC mAb and anti human L-selectin FITC mAb.

Prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni infection were significantly lower in treated than in untreated patients.

Treatment was found to enhance in vitro granuloma formation. In treated patients, the mean GI for SEA - coated beads was significantly higher than that of untreated patients. Also, the frequency of ICAM-1