RESUMEN
Using atomic adsorption spectroscopy, zink, copper, iron and manganese were estimated in serum and BAL of 16 patients with mild hepatic schistosomiasis, half of them were also suuffering from schistosomal corpulmonale. Eight volunteers were included as control. Serum and BAL zink were significantly diminished in corpulmonale as compared to the hepatic and control groups. There was no significant change between mild hepatic schistosomiasis and control group. Serum copper showed significant increase in all patients while BAL copper was significantly increased in corpulmonale patients only. Serum iron showed significant diminution in all patients, while BAL showed significant decrease in patients with corpulmonale only. Serum and BAL manganese levels were significantly increased in both patient groups and the increase was more marked in those with corpulmonale. The results of the study revealed that estimated trace element levels in BAL did not have the same pattern as in serum. This indicates that the local lung pathology may be either a result or a cause for the changes in trace elements level which may be of value in diagnosis of schistosomal corpulmonale