CIRCULATING IMMUNE-COMPLEXES IN SCHISTOSOMIASIS

Abstract

Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were investigated by the [125I]Clq [q fragment of the 1st component of complement] binding test, the complement fixation test (CFT) and optical density measurement after redissolving 3% polyethylene glycol precipitates of serum from patients infected by Schistosoma mansoni. A highly significnt correlation was obtained among these 3 techniques. Of the patients >60% demonstrated significantly higher values than control individuals. The CIC level was higher in the mild than in the hepatosplenic form of the disease. Parasite antigen. Ig[immunoglobulin]G, IgM and IgE were characterized in these CIC. In experimental schistosomiasis in mice, maximum CIC levels, evaluated by the CFT were observed between the 40th-70th day of infection.