RESUMO
Sixty children were chosen from Pediatrics Department of Zagazig University and 14 age-matched healthy children were chosen to be included in this study. The children were classified into 4 groups: The first group consisted of 28 children infected with active schistosomiasis and arthropathy; the second group included 18 children with schistosomiasis only without arthoropathy; the third group included 14 children suffering from arthropathy without schistosomiasis. The fourth group consisted of 14 apparently healthy children and served as a control group. A significant high percentage positivity of specific circulating schistosomal immune complexes was found among the group of schistosomal arthoropathy versus the other groups. Moreover, a significant higher mean optical density readings was found among the same group of schistosomal arthoropathy. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between percentage positivity of CIC and intensity of infection was recorded. From these results it appears that schistosomiasis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of arthoropathy among children. Moreover, ELISA assay, using monoclonal antibody, is a highly sensitive test in detecting specific CIC in children with schistosomiasis