ABSTRACT
A new method of two-direction counter-immunoelectrophoresis (TD-CIEP and TD-ELACIEP) for detection of specific antigen and antibody of enzyme-dissociated schisto-some circulating immune complexes (SCIC) in infected rabbits and advanced schistosomia-sis cases was reported. Results showed that the detection rate was markedly increased in the enzyme-dissociated sera as compared with that of non-dissociated sera. The levels of antigen and antibodies were found to be correlated to the period and intensity of infection. The detected antigen was solely originated from the adult worm. Comparison of sensitivity of both methods showed that TD-ELACIEP was much more sensitive than TD-CIEP either for detection of antigen or antibodies. Of 54 sera of advanced schistosomiasis cases the detection rate of schistosome antigen or antibodies by TD-ELACIEP in enzyme-dissociated and non-dissociated serum samples was 50 and 25.9%, respectively. Only 9 cases( 16.7%) were COP positive with COP rate