RESUMEN
The serum immunoglobulins [IgG. IgM, IgA, IgE] and [C3, C4] levels were investigated in 45 [17 male and 28 female] Libyan patients with hydatid disease confirmed [age: 19-70 years; mean age: 44 years]. Twenty six healthy Libyans, age and sex matched, were also included in the study as control subjects. Of these 45 patients 34 had hepatic [76%]. 5 had pulmonary [11%] and 6 had multiple [hepatic, pulmonary and intestinal] [13%] lesions. The study showed that patients with hydatid disease had significantly higher total IgG [P<0.05], Igm [P<0.02] and IgE [P<0.01] levels as compared to control. Further statistical analyses for linear, exponential and geometrical correlations revealed that IgG had significant linear correlation with anti-echinococcus antibody titre [AEAT] [r=0.9214, t=5.7392, p<0.01]. Interestingly, IgE exhibited more significant exponential correlation [r=0.9309, t=5.7011, p<0.01] than geometrical correlation [r=0.8402], t=3.4643, p<0.02] with AEAT. These observations suggested than the host's immune response did occur concomitant with the existence and fluorishment of the hydatid cyst. The various possibilities as to how this can happen have been discussed