Association of some HLA-DRB1 antigens with echinococcus granulosus specific humoral immune response

In this study, an ELISA system using crude camel hydatid fluid antigen was used to detect specific IgG and IgG1 in the sera of 35 cystic echinococcosis [CE] patients, in whom the distribution of class II HLA-DR3 anti HLA-DR11 was determined. The recorded sensitivities were 88.6% and 94.35% for IgG and IgG1, respectively. In patients with a high humoral immune response, a statistically highly significant increased frequency of HLA-DR3 was recorded for IgG with a high relative risk value [RR = 3.2] and a reasonable etiologic fraction [EF = 0.3], while HLA-DR11 recorded RR = 2.6 and EF = 0.2. For IgG1, both antigens showed a significant increased frequency [RR = 2.95 and 2.79, respectively, and EF = 0.28 and 0.23, respectively]. HLA-DR3 was highly significantly associated with complicated cases [RR = 4.36 and EF = 0.4], in whom the mean antibody units for both IgG and IgG1 were significantly raised. It was advisable to rely on IgG1 for the diagnosis of CE and to consider the genetic disposition of the patient as an important criterion in the outcome of infection

Evaluation of an elisa for the diagnosis of human infection with S haematobium

ShSEA prepared from eggs collected from urine samples of infected humans and SmSEA prepared from eggs collected from infected hamsters were tested in and ELISA against 226 human sera classified into four groups: 30 normal controls, 82 S. mansoni infected, 64 S. haematobium infected and 50 with concurrent infection with both species. ELISA proved to be efficient diagnostic test for schistosomiasis giving 98- 100% sensitivity, but low species specificity, 23-28%. However, the mean absorbance value of S. haematobium infection sera was significantly higher with homologous than heterologous antigens which indicate the presence of S. haematobium species-specific antigens

hamster as an animal model to study nephropathy secondary to schistosoma mansoni infection

Sera and urine samples from control and S. mansoni infected hamsters were tested to assess kidney functions. Hamsters were infected with different doses of cercariae. Sera and urine samples were collected after different infection periods. A nonlethal dose, 50 cercariae, is enough to express kidney disease. The disease become biochemically detected after 6 weeks post infection. Significant proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia were observed in schistosome infected animals but not in controls. A significant hyperglobulinaemia with concomitant reduction in A/G ratio was also noticed. Correlations between these changes and both duration and load of schistosome infection were significant. We conclude that S. mansoni infection causes nephropathy in the golden hamster. Proteinuria level is a simple not invasive measure to indicate kidney disease secondary to S. mansoni infection in hamsters