Degree of symptoms versus copro-antigen levels in giardia lamblia infection

A total of 82 out-patients were examined for Giardia coproantigens and 12 neonate stool samples as control. ELISA had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 91.67%. ELISA [OD] had neither significant correlation to Giardia cyst count, to stool consistency or presence of blood, mucus or fat in stool, nor to age but positive correlation to the severity of diarrhoea, colic, nausea, anorexia, weight loss, distension and fatigue. Giardia cyst count was higher in cases with loose stool, while ELISA [OD] correlated positively with symptoms except constipation and vomiting. The different in clinical outcome of giardiasis can be attributed, partially to strain differences and host resistance

Transplacental transfer of schistosomal antigens and antibodies

Circulating S. mansoni soluble antigens [CSA] and antibodies [CAB] were investigated in sera of 32 S. mansoni-infected pregnant mothers, their 32 newborns and 26 nonpregnant infected women. CSA levels in pregnant mothers and their newborns were significantly higher than in the 3rd group. Also, a significant positive correlation was detected between the CSA levels in sera from infected mothers and the cord blood of their newborns proving the transplacental transfer of these antigens. On the other hand, CAB levels were significantly higher in the 3rd group than in the mothers and their newborns and this could be explained by the immune complexes formation. No schistosome eggs or worms were detected in placentas and the possibility of congenital schistosomiasis was eliminated